Ocean Network Express (ONE) has announced its Approval in Principle (AiP) for an innovative ammonia dual-fuel powered vessel. This significant milestone, coupled with ONE’s investment in twelve methanol dual-fuel ships, underscores the company’s steadfast dedication to achieving net-zero emissions by the year 2050, as outlined in their official statement.

The AiP-endorsed vessel, boasting a capacity of 3,500 TEU, is the fruition of a collaborative effort involving ONE, Nihon Shipyard (NSY), and classification society DNV. This partnership began as a part of a joint development project initiated in late 2022.

Koshiro Wake, Senior Vice President of the Corporate Strategy & Sustainability Department at ONE, emphasized the potential of ammonia as a fuel source. He stated, “Ammonia fuel stands at the forefront of our research due to its capability to significantly reduce GHG emissions compared to traditional marine fuels. We are excited about this progress in ammonia research and remain committed to further studies.”

In its quest to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, ONE is rigorously exploring ammonia as a viable alternative fuel. This exploration is part of the company’s 2022 roadmap for alternative fuels. Additionally, ONE has contributed to a bunkering pilot safety study under the guidance of the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD).

Cristina Saenz de Santa Maria, Regional Manager of South East Asia, Pacific & India, Maritime at DNV, commented on the potential of ammonia as a future marine fuel. She stated, “Ammonia holds immense promise for decarbonizing the shipping industry. We believe that DNV’s regulations for ammonia usage will significantly aid our clients in safely incorporating this new fuel, once the necessary infrastructure is established. We are thankful to our JDP partners for their trust in this groundbreaking project that aims to facilitate the maritime industry’s adoption of ammonia as a marine fuel.”

ONE‘s Green Strategy is ambitious, aiming to achieve Net-Zero GHG emissions, including Scope 2 and 3, by 2050. A critical aspect of this strategy involves the shift from traditional fuels to alternative, more sustainable options. ONE reiterated its commitment to continuous research and exploration of various alternative fuels as it progresses towards its goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.

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