Chevron Corporation and the Angelicoussis Group have entered into a Joint Study Agreement (JSA) to explore the feasibility of using ammonia as a potential lower carbon marine fuel.
Through its subsidiary Chevron Shipping Company, Chevron and the Angelicoussis Group’s Energy Transition division, Green Ships, aim to advance ammonia’s technical and commercial feasibility at scale. The initial study will evaluate the ammonia transportation market, existing infrastructure, safety aspects of ammonia, potential next generation vessel requirements and a preliminary system to transport ammonia between the US Gulf Coast and Europe. Future opportunities will focus on additional global markets.
Ammonia is a carrier of hydrogen and is believed to have potential to lower the carbon intensity of the marine industry. This joint effort aims to prepare the industry for the transition towards lower carbon operations by contributing to identifying the technical, operational, and commercial challenges of carrying ammonia at scale and using it as a fuel in a safe and sustainable way.
Chevron is leveraging its international functional marine expertise and collaborating with the Angelicoussis Group to pursue the delivery of lower carbon proof points to the market. Austin Knight, Vice President, Hydrogen, Chevron New Energies, emphasized that global value chain solutions are critical for growing the hydrogen market, and shipping will play a crucial role.
While ammonia is considered one of the alternative fuel options to decarbonize shipping, it is important to address potential challenges such as the safety aspect of transporting and storing ammonia, which requires expertise and technology to ensure safe handling. Moreover, the current infrastructure for transporting ammonia is limited, and the technology required for ammonia-powered vessels is still in development.
