DNV awards AiP for floating ammonia plant

An industrial-scale concept for a floating green ammonia plant developed by Netherlands-based SwitchH2 BV and Norway’s BW Offshore has been awarded Approval in Principle (AiP) by classification society DNV.

The concept, known as NH3 FPSO, will be developed by converting an existing very large crude carrier or building a new one. The unit will receive green energy from a wind farm, produce hydrogen by the electrolysis of seawater, and generate nitrogen from an air separation unit.

The hydrogen and ammonia will then be combined in an ammonia synthesis unit. When condensed, the ammonia will be stored as a liquid in the hull of the unit before being transferred to ammonia shuttle carriers.

A floating hose will be used to pump ammonia from the stern of the NH3 FPSO to a midship manifold on board the ammonia carrier. Although the unit will be permanently moored, it will be possible to relocate it if necessary, the partners said.

Conn Fagan, DNV’s vice president, Business Development for Floating Production, said: "The AiP covers all aspects of the integrated vessel concept, including structural integrity, mooring, ammonia production, ammonia storage, and cargo handling. We are pleased to see such developments, both with regard to the use of renewable energy and as a contribution to emission reduction across many potential applications in different industry sectors."      

SwitchH2 board member, Bob Rietveldt, commented: "We are delighted we have been awarded the AiP from DNV for our concept, and we look forward to working with DNV in the next stages of the project."

Speaking for BW Offshore, senior vice president, Project Development, Fredrik Savio, said: "At BW Offshore, we leverage our offshore experience to support and expedite the energy transition by engineering next generation floating production solutions. Achieving this AiP is an important milestone and an encouraging step towards a cleaner energy mix."