Yara Clean Ammonia and NorthSea Container Line, together with Yara International, have unveiled a partnership to develop the world's first container ship using pure ammonia as its fuel source. Named the “Yara Eyde," the vessel is set to operate between Norway and Germany. The parties working on the project say the ship will mark a major milestone in the global push for emission-free maritime transport.
The Yara Eyde will operate between Oslo, Brevik, Hamburg, and Bremerhaven. The ship is optimised for the trade corridor between Norway and Europe, and starting in 2026, it will allow Norwegian companies to export their products with significantly reduced emissions. Additionally, it will facilitate the import of goods into Norway with virtually no emissions.
Commenting on the announcement, Magnus Krogh Ankarstrand, the head of Yara Clean Ammonia, stated: “Yara has chosen to participate in this project to show that this segment can create additional growth for ammonia in the short term. Yara will contribute to developing this new market, but we will strategically use our funds to develop the production and logistics segment and not prioritise ownership in ships.”
Ankarstrand added: “Ammonia as a fuel does not pollute. When we produce ammonia from renewable energy or with natural gas where up to 95% of the CO2 emissions are captured and stored permanently, pure ammonia will quickly be a good solution for cutting carbon emissions in the maritime sector. Yara Eyde will demonstrate the maturity of ammonia as a maritime fuel.”
The Yara Eyde will be supplied with ammonia produced in a fossil-free or nearly carbon-free manner by Yara Clean Ammonia. The project will also collaborate with Azane Fuel Solutions to develop a storage and bunkering network, making pure ammonia available in Norwegian and eventually Scandinavian ports.
The initiative is receiving support from Enova and Innovation Norway, with plans to supply Yara Eyde with low-emission fuel in Brevik using one of the planned barges.
Those behind the project stress that safety and environmental considerations remain paramount in the project to ensure the production, storage, and bunkering of pure ammonia take place without negative impacts.
