Pherousa develops ammonia cracker technology onboard Deltamarin ships

Pherousa Green Technologies (PGT) is developing an ammonia cracker that allows the use of ammonia as a hydrogen carrier onboard deep-sea vessel.

Established in 2023, Norwegian-based Pherousa Green Shipping (PGS) is in the design stage of placing an order for six of Deltamarin’s Ultramax bulk carriers.

The initial ship design is based on the Finnish company’s Ultramax model and then adapted for PGT using ammonia, to enable zero-emission propulsion.

Deltamarin focuses on alternative fuels and decarbonisation in deep-sea shipping and developed the long endurance ammonia fuelled Ultramax bulk carrier concept with PGT.

PGT will utilise its advanced ammonia cracking technology which will allow the ships engines to be operated with a minimal amount of pilot fuel, and the system will enable the use of pure hydrogen in PEM fuel cells instead of direct ammonia fuel cells for electric power production.

PGT will deliver the ‘plug and power’ ammonia crackers to PGS for installation onboard, and the two companies will also enter into a strategic partnership agreement to drive the development of ammonia technology within the deep-sea maritime sector.

Hans Bredrup, PGT Group Chairman, said, “Ammonia is the only readily available hydrogen carrier that has no carbon in its molecule, therefore the only truly zero-carbon hydrogen carrier. The ammonia cracking technology developed by PGT is a game changer that could become a major contributor towards the realisation of the world’s zero-emission shipping.”

The initial fleet of six Ultramax dry bulk carriers will be aimed at the worldwide copper industry, a key component in the battle for decarbonisation.