Metacon Announces AiP for Ammonia Cracking Tech Use in Maritime Propulsion

Pherousa's licenced technology enables electrical propulsion via PEM fuel cells and FGSS.

Metacon Secures Approvals in Principle for Ammonia Cracking Technology

Metacon, through its stake in Pherousa, has obtained two initial approvals in principle (AiP) for its ammonia cracking technology from maritime classification societies, the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and DNV.

The AiPs confirm the technology’s potential for safe use in ships’ propulsion systems.

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Partners such as Deltamarin, the Marshall Islands, Babcock International, and Metacon have played a role in the achievement of AiPs.

The technology, exclusively licensed to Pherousa, is aimed at producing electrical propulsion through polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells and fuel gas supply systems (FGSS).

Metacon President and CEO Christer Wikner said: "I am very pleased to see the fast continued progress in Pherousa for the use and development of our Ammonia Cracking technology in the maritime sector.

“Ammonia remains the only CO2-free solution for deep-sea shipping decarbonisation, with both fuel cell and combustion engine options for the marine drive trains. The partnership structure around Pherousa is powerful and AiP from both ABS and DNV is a significant milestone and gamechanger towards commercialisation."

Based on Metacon’s patented HIWAR reactor, the ammonia cracking technology is designed for maritime use to facilitate the transition to zero-emission propulsion.

It can be integrated into various technologies, including PEM fuel cells and hydrogen internal combustion engines (ICE), offering up to 100% emission-free propulsion and the potential to fit any vessel with engine power up to 15-20MW.

Ammonia, a non-explosive liquid rich in hydrogen, could power new engine types onboard vessels, thus supporting the shift to carbon-free transportation.

Pherousa Chairman Hans Bredrup said: "Ammonia is gaining momentum as a hydrogen carrier for technology application onboard vessels, from coastal to deep-sea shipping and in parallel with this development, Clean Ammonia could potentially make up about 13 percent of the global ammonia supply by 2030.

“The AiPs now allow Pherousa to continue the design and construction of the zero-emission series of 64,000 dwt bulk carriers earmarked for the copper industry."

In January this year, MODEC and Toyo Engineering received AiP from ABS for a Blue Ammonia Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) unit.