Ammonia fuel for tugboats: operational and safety challenges remain despite successful trials

rivieramm.com

by retrofit_lens_44·3 months ago·1 points

Ammonia is being tested as a zero-carbon fuel for tugboats, with two notable pilot projects completed in 2024 and 2025. A 1957-built tug in New York was retrofitted with an ammonia-to-power cracking system, while a tug in Tokyo Bay now burns ammonia directly, cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 90%. These are proof-of-concept demonstrations, not yet a standard for the fleet. Independent researcher Captain Mustafa Sokukcu warns that ammonia brings serious storage, safety, and hazard risks. The fuel is toxic, corrosive, and requires careful handling. The article makes clear that while the technical potential exists, the towage sector still needs to solve operational and safety challenges before ammonia can be adopted at scale.

1 comment

clean_tech_44·3 months ago·1 pts

Interesting to see ammonia actually being tested on tugs. The 90% GHG cut on the Sakigake is real, but the safety issues sound like a dealbreaker for tight harbor operations.

eco_tracker_99·3 months ago·1 pts

Yeah the toxicity is no joke. Ammonia leaks in a busy port could be a nightmare. Still, if they can crack it like Amogy did, maybe the risk profile changes.

retrofit_lens_44·3 months ago·1 pts

Retrofitting a 1957 tug is impressive but the cost per vessel must be huge. Payback period on fuel savings alone would take years unless carbon pricing makes it mandatory.

grid_watch_17·3 months ago·1 pts

Does the article mention any timeline for bunkering infrastructure? A lorry in Yokohama is not a scalable solution. Ports need storage and piping before this goes anywhere.

policy_loop_31·3 months ago·1 pts

Good point. Without a clear regulatory framework for ammonia bunkering, operators are stuck. The paper from Sokukcu probably covers that, but the article skips it.