Pherousa Green Technologies AS (PGT) has developed and proved the technical feasibility of an ammonia cracker allowing the use of ammonia as a H₂ carrier onboard vessels in deep-sea shipping. Pherousa Green Shipping AS (PGS), established in 2023 and headquartered in Oslo, is in the design stage of placing an order for up to six modern green-profiled Ultramax dry bulk carriers, designed by Deltamarin in Finland. The initial ship design is based on an existing Deltamarin ultramax model, adapted for the Pherousa Green Technology using ammonia, enabling true zero-emission propulsion.

At the core of this project is PGT’s advanced ammonia cracking technology, which allows the ship’s engines to be operated with a minimal amount of pilot fuel, hence providing a truly zero-emission vessel using enriched ammonia and H₂ as fuel. The system also enables the use of pure H₂ in PEM fuel cells instead of direct ammonia fuel cells for electric power production.

The PGT’s cracking system provides the next step in making deep-sea shipping truly zero emissions and allows the use of ammonia and H₂ in a cost-efficient way.

Deltamarin, a renowned ship design and engineering company with a strong focus on alternative fuels and decarbonization in deep-sea shipping, has developed an innovative long endurance ammonia fueled Ultramax bulk carrier concept together with PGT.

“The only fuel that is truly zero emission is H₂, but H₂ storage is the biggest challenge for deep-sea shipping. Ammonia is the only readily available H₂ carrier that has no carbon in its molecule, therefore the only truly zero-carbon H₂ carrier. The ammonia cracking technology developed by PGT is a game changer that could become a major contributor toward the realization of the world´s zero-emission shipping,” said the PGT Group Chairman Hans Bredrup.

PGT will deliver the “plug and play” ammonia crackers to PGS for installation onboard the new buildings. The two companies also aim to enter into a strategic partnership agreement to drive the development of ammonia technology for use within the deep-sea segment.

The initial fleet of six Ultramax dry bulk carriers is aimed at the worldwide copper industry. Copper is a key component in global decarbonization. The Copper industry has ambitious emission-cutting goals, including to reduce the emissions produced whilst copper is transported to end users, usually across the Pacific Ocean, either from South America or Australia. Ongoing and advanced conversations have been held with leading international mining companies for their employment of the new buildings.

PGT Is also working actively with fuel suppliers, yards, and financiers to ensure the timely delivery of this high-quality, zero-emission transportation.