Pherousa scoops ABS approval for ammonia-cracking tech for ships

Class society American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has granted approval in principle to Pherousa Shipping for an ammonia cracking technology.

The approval applies to ships featuring proton exchange membrane fuel cells and fuel gas supply system (FGSS) for fully electric propulsion.

The propulsion system is targeted for application on Pherousa’s ultramax 64,000-dwt bulk carrier that will transport copper – a material essential in solar panels and electric cars, ABS said in a statement on its website on Friday.

“We are seeing rapid innovation and new developments around ammonia as an alternative fuel, whether as a carrier of hydrogen or as a fuel in its own right,” Patrick Ryan, ABS senior vice president and chief technology officer, said.

“Cracking ammonia to produce hydrogen for fuel cells is one that has the potential to accelerate the energy transition to low or no carbon emissions in the maritime industry,” he added.

Key partners in the project include the designers Deltamarin, the flag state Marshall Islands, Babcock International Group, which supplies the FGSS, and Metacon, the technology developer and shareholder of Pherousa.