HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Unveils World’s First Ammonia Zero-Carbon Ship

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries announced that it has completed construction of the world’s first ammonia-fueled vessel and held its official naming ceremony. The ship operates entirely on ammonia, without using any conventional oil-based fuel, resulting in zero carbon emissions. This development is being seen as a major breakthrough that could transform the shipping industry amid increasingly strict environmental regulations.

The company unveiled two medium-sized gas carriers with a capacity of 46,000 cubic meters, both fitted with ammonia dual-fuel engines. These vessels were ordered in 2023 by the Belgian shipping firm EXMAR. They represent the first pair of four ships under the contract and have been named Antwerp and Aarlon, after cities in Belgium. Delivery is planned for May and late July, respectively.

Ammonia is considered a carbon-free fuel because it does not release carbon dioxide during combustion. Compared to another clean fuel, hydrogen, ammonia is significantly easier to store and transport. Hydrogen must be kept at extremely low temperatures of around -253°C to remain liquid, whereas ammonia requires only about -33°C. It also has a higher energy storage density, meaning more energy can be contained within the same volume. Furthermore, ammonia benefits from an already established global supply chain due to its widespread use in fertilizer and chemical industries.

Despite these advantages, ammonia is highly toxic and presents serious safety challenges, requiring advanced systems to prevent leaks and ensure safe handling. To address this, the vessel incorporates proprietary technologies developed by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries. It features three in-house designed cargo tanks for the stable transport of ammonia and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), along with a shaft generator that produces electricity from the engine’s rotation and a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system to minimize nitrogen oxide emissions. The ship is also equipped with real-time leak detection and emission recovery systems developed internally.