Technology group Wärtsilä will supply its Wärtsilä 25 ammonia solution to power a new cargo vessel for Norway-based Skarv Shipping Solutions, marking the first newbuild to use the company’s four-stroke ammonia engine technology. The vessel will be constructed at Huanghai shipyard in China and is intended to support Skarv Shipping Solutions’ strategy to deliver sustainable short-sea shipping services in Northern Europe.
Ammonia is increasingly viewed as a key fuel option for maritime decarbonization, with Wärtsilä citing its analysis that fuel efficiency measures alone could cut shipping emissions by up to 27%, while sustainable fuels such as ammonia are required to address the remaining emissions in line with the International Maritime Organization’s net-zero targets. The vessel will be equipped with the complete fuel gas supply system and exhaust after-treatment, including selective catalytic reduction and ammonia release mitigation systems.
Equipment deliveries for the vessel are scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026. Skarv Shipping Solutions aims to prove that it is possible to renew the European short-sea fleet while making it more climate-friendly by implementing a whole array of technologies.
Wärtsilä's integrated solution promises robust safety and environmental measures combined with advanced energy efficient technology, enabling compliance with both EU 2050 targets and the IMO’s 2040 ambitions. The company has developed the Wärtsilä 25 engine, along with its associated ammonia handling systems, to deliver outstanding levels of safety, efficiency, reliability and sustainability.
This solution offers the marine industry a future-ready solution that is available today.
The adoption of ammonia as a fuel option for maritime decarbonization is a significant step towards reducing shipping emissions. Wärtsilä's expertise in developing sustainable solutions will be crucial in driving this transition forward.
