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Advancements and Challenges of Ammonia as a Sustainable Fuel for the Maritime Industry

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  • Antonio Chavando

    (Department of Environment and Planning, Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, 7300-555 Aveiro, Portugal
    Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre, 7300-110 Portalegre, Portugal
    Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal)

  • Valter Silva

    (Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre, 7300-110 Portalegre, Portugal
    Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal)

  • João Cardoso

    (Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre, 7300-110 Portalegre, Portugal
    Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal)

  • Daniela Eusebio

    (Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre, 7300-110 Portalegre, Portugal)

Abstract

The maritime industry needs sustainable, low-emission fuels to reduce the environmental impact. Ammonia is one of the most promising alternative fuels because it can be produced from renewable energy, such as wind and solar. Furthermore, ammonia combustion does not emit carbon. This review article covers the advantages and disadvantages of using ammonia as a sustainable marine fuel. We start by discussing the regulations and environmental concerns of the shipping sector, which is responsible for around 2% to 3% of global energy-related CO 2 emissions. These emissions may increase as the maritime industry grows at a compound annual growth rate of 4.33%. Next, we analyze the use of ammonia as a fuel in detail, which presents several challenges. These challenges include the high price of ammonia compared to other fossil fuels, the low reactivity and high toxicity of ammonia, NOx, and N 2 O emissions resulting from incomplete combustion, an inefficient process, and NH 3 slipping. However, we emphasize how to overcome these challenges. We discuss techniques to reduce NOx and N 2 O emissions, co-combustion to improve reactivity, waste heat recovery strategies, the regulatory framework, and safety conditions. Finally, we address the market trends and challenges of using ammonia as a sustainable marine fuel.

Suggested Citation

  • Antonio Chavando & Valter Silva & João Cardoso & Daniela Eusebio, 2024. "Advancements and Challenges of Ammonia as a Sustainable Fuel for the Maritime Industry," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-35, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:13:p:3183-:d:1424583
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Evanthia Kostidi & Dimitrios Lyridis, 2025. "Customizable Life Cycle Cost Methodology for Ammonia Fuel Storage: Enhancing Adoptability Across Diverse Onboard Arrangements," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-18, March.
    2. Olga Petrychenko & Maksym Levinskyi & Sergey Goolak & Vaidas Lukoševičius, 2025. "Prospects of Solar Energy in the Context of Greening Maritime Transport," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-45, March.
    3. Antonio Chavando & Valter Bruno Silva & João Sousa Cardoso & Daniela Eusebio, 2025. "Evaluating Coal, RDF, and Ammonia Blends in Power Plants: Techno-Economic Insights and Coal Phase-Out Implications," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-29, March.

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    Keywords

    ammonia; fuel; maritime; combustion;
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