ENGIMMONIA: a decarbonized shipping sector

In 2018 the International Maritime Organization (IMO) established that greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions produced by international shipping need to be reduced of at least 50% by 2050.

The only use of cleaner fuels can partially achieve the EU targets, for example by bringing about 25% less CO2 emissions in the case of LNG, but with a limited effect on GHG emissions.

ENGIMMONIA
has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 955413 to prove the capabilities and the key role of ammonia as alternative fuel of the future shipping sector as well as to demonstrate the impact on vessels’ energy balance and sustainability of clean energy technologies (like waste-heat-to-power/to cooling solutions via ORC and adsorption chiller, structural PV and digital tool for energy management optimization) already proven for terrestrial application  .

In particular, the Project Consortium will develop and test flexible low-carbon technologies, such as innovative exhaust aftertreatment systems (EATS), and other type of clean energy solutions on board of three different type of vessels:

  • a ferry (ANEK),
  • a container ship (DANAOS)
  • a tanker (FAMOUS).

Approach

RINA is the Project Coordinator of ENGIMMONIA in order to ensure efficient coordination of the project and appropriate overall project.

Strategy, guarantee efficient Management of common consortium activities, high product quality in all phases of the project and efficient administrative, financial and contractual Management, and liaison with the European Commission.

Moreover, we are in charge of Regulatory, policy, infrastructure and safety aspects and, in particular, we are going to:

  • analyse the health and safety and regulatory aspects that the ENGIMMONIA technologies will be subject
  • define the naval classification and flag Authorization processes impacted by the proposed innovation (also valorising recent RINA Ammonia Rules);
  • provide guidelines for a complete risk assessment on the ship equipped with
    the various solutions;
  • develop a roadmap towards the widespread of ENGIMMONIA concept in the EU and outside;
  • perform and in-depth analysis of the bunkering and refueling of ammonia in the ports, including a specific study related to the Genoa one
  • develop guidelines and a positioning paper for zero emission ships based on the ENGIMMONIA project outcomes thanks to RINA connection with relevant International bodies like IMO, IACS, EMSA etc..

Conclusion

In conclusion, ENGIMMONIA will be the first keystone of an “ammonia” revolution of the shipping sector aiming to reduce its emissions both in harbour area and in open sea.

The Project Consortium will develop and test the following flexible and low-carbon technologies:

  • innovative exhaust aftertreatment systems to completely abate ammonia combustion pollutant (like N2O)
  • waste heat recovery (WHR) solutions for power and cooling production
  • PV composite surfaces to be applied to vessels’ structural parts
  • energy Management/operational optimization system  to minimize energy consumption and emissions

Last but not least, ENGIMMONIA will facilitate the use of ammonia and other clean energy solutions for vessels in specific targeted ships that are open to public community perception towards a higher social acceptability of ammonia and widespread application.