Gas and Heat, an Italian company specializing in cargo handling systems, and RINA, a multinational Inspection, Certification, and Engineering consultancy, have joined forces to develop a cargo and fuel gas system for an ammonia-fueled bunker vessel. Under this agreement, Gas and Heat will handle the basic design, while RINA will conduct the compliance assessment as part of the broader Approval in Principle process.
Shipping currently contributes around 3% to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, prompting the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the European Union to establish ambitious targets for carbon emissions reduction in the maritime sector. Ammonia has emerged as a potential solution in the medium term, with leading engine manufacturers extensively researching the ammonia combustion process. Delivery of ammonia-fueled engines to shipbuilding is anticipated later this year.
Giuseppe Zagaria, Marine Italy Technical Director at RINA, expressed, “The agreement represents a further step in this direction, allowing the integration of know-how and the delivery to the shipping industry of those technical insights and solutions that are much needed in this time of change. We do believe that a fleet of innovative bunker vessels, as part of the sea logistics, will boost the use of alternative fuels.”
Claudio Evangelisti, CEO of Gas and Heat Italy, shared his excitement about the collaboration, stating, “By applying our know-how in the cryogenic gas transportation, we could deliver turnkey systems for the ammonia bunkering market.”
