A 75-Foot Vessel Is Being Converted to Run Almost Entirely on Ammonia

Though ammonia has great potential as a green fuel, questions remain over its use on a global scale. This week, for example, an aviation firm from the U.K., Reaction Engines, unveiled a concept for an ammonia-fueled aircraft. The company says the sustainable fuel is 70 percent more powerful than liquid hydrogen, though detractors point out that there are concerns that the use of ammonia-based combustion at a mass scale could contribute to smog conditions as well as acid rain.

FFI wants to help the shipping industry 'decarbonize completely'

During his speech at the COP26 conference, Forrest said FFI is "providing the shipping industry with the practical know-how to decarbonize completely" and that the converted MMA Leveque "will show the shipping industry the power of a vessel fueled by green ammonia in real-world conditions."

"We are investing heavily in research and development to transform our trains, trucks and ships on the road, rail and sea with zero pollution fuels as soon as possible," he continued.

The shipping industry gets a little less attention than aviation when it comes to its impact on the environment. However, a report in 2019, claimed that Sweden's shipping emitted more greenhouse gases than its domestic aviation. The IPCC's report on climate change this year has further highlighted the fact that the world needs a multi-industry drive to turn the tide and avoid the worst effects of climate change. Following that report, several firms have made renewed calls to reduce their impact on the environment this year, including cargo giant Maersk, which recently announced it aims to cut its emissions by 60 percent by 2030.