Breakthroughs in Ammonia Fuel Cell Ship R&D Add a New Technical Path to Zero-Carbon Shipping

2025/10/29 Viewed：

Against the backdrop of the global shipping industry accelerating decarbonization, ammonia fuel cell ships are emerging as another high-profile zero-carbon technology path following liquefied natural gas (LNG), methanol, and hydrogen energy. Recently, research institutions in Japan, Norway, and other countries have successively announced major breakthroughs in key technologies for ammonia fuel cell ships, including the development of high-efficiency catalysts, optimization of fuel supply systems, and improvement of exhaust gas treatment solutions. These breakthroughs provide strong support for the feasibility of ammonia as a clean marine fuel. Compared with hydrogen energy, ammonia is in a liquid state at normal temperature and pressure, has higher compatibility between its storage and transportation infrastructure and the existing petroleum system, and possesses obvious advantages in energy density—endowing it with unique potential in the field of ocean shipping.

The R&D of ammonia fuel cell ships focuses on two major technical routes: direct ammonia fuel cells and fuel cell systems based on ammonia cracking for hydrogen production. The former realizes the direct electrochemical oxidation of ammonia through new electrocatalysts, simplifying the system structure; the latter decomposes ammonia into hydrogen and nitrogen using a cracking device, and then generates electricity through a proton exchange membrane fuel cell, with relatively higher technical maturity. Recent test data shows that the energy conversion efficiency of the new ammonia fuel cell system has exceeded 50%, and the nitrogen oxide emission control meets the most stringent Tier III standard of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), basically satisfying the environmental protection requirements for commercial operation.

Collaborative development across the industrial chain has become a key factor in promoting the implementation of ammonia-fueled ships. Upstream, green ammonia production technology is advancing rapidly, and ammonia production projects using renewable energy such as wind power and photovoltaics have been launched in many parts of the world, providing the shipping industry with zero-carbon fuel throughout the life cycle. In the midstream storage and transportation link, the construction of specialized ammonia fuel refueling ships and port receiving facilities is accelerating; international hub ports such as Singapore and Rotterdam have begun to formulate ammonia fuel refueling standards. On the downstream application side, a number of mainstream shipyards have joined hands with engine manufacturers to launch ammonia-fueled ship design schemes, covering main ship types such as bulk carriers, oil tankers, and container ships, and some shipowners have placed orders for the first batch of new ammonia-fueled ships.

Although ammonia fuel cell ships still face challenges such as high costs and pending improvement of safety standards, their technical feasibility as a zero-carbon shipping solution has been verified. With the tightening of international carbon regulations and the formation of a green premium mechanism, ammonia energy is expected to become an important choice for decarbonization in ocean shipping by 2030. The maturity of this technical path not only enriches the options of clean fuels but also creates a new connection point for the in-depth integration of renewable energy and the shipping industry, promoting the global maritime industry to accelerate towards the direction of zero carbonization across the entire industrial chain.

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