UK: Three partners to delve into the potential of ammonia in maritime decarbonization

September 5, 2025, by Naida Hakirevic Prevljak

Scottish Port of Cromarty Firth, Brunel University of London, and UK environmental and engineering consultancy Ricardo have joined forces to launch a feasibility study that aims to understand how ammonia could support the decarbonization of the maritime sector and a concept for a next-generation ammonia combustion engine.

Illustration. Courtesy of Port of Cromarty Firth

The feasibility study, Project FASTMOVE, is part of a Department of Transport-funded initiative, UK SHORE, which aims to drive the shift towards a more sustainable maritime sector, while also supporting economic growth across the UK.

As part of Project FASTMOVE, the partnership, led by Ricardo, will evaluate the feasibility of four-stroke ammonia-fueled marine engines in offshore support vessels, as a route to emission reduction targets, and position the UK as “the market leader” in this field with the combustion system.

Key project features include assessing the opportunity of ammonia for decarbonization of vessels using Port of Cromarty Firth; developing further understanding of high-pressure dual-fuel ammonia combustion; developing a next-generation combustion system concept that maximizes the ammonia substitution rate while minimizing pollutant emissions; and assessing port and vessel safety considerations.

In addition to providing research insights, each contributor will provide specific expertise: Brunel will be utilising its laboratories for spray characterisation and combustion modelling; Ricardo will be applying its experience in combustion engines and the maritime sector to develop initial combustion concepts; and the Port of Cromarty Firth will assess safety requirements for ammonia storage and fuelling systems in ports for offshore support vessels.

“I’m delighted that Project FASTMOVE has been funded under CMDC Round 6. The project is a great example of the UK maritime industry leading the way to find a future fuel for a complex transport sector. The Project FASTMOVE consortium looks to leverage the incredible talent we have in this country for developing world-changing technologies, engines and technology,” James Lovett, Innovation Lead for Future Maritime Technologies at Innovate UK, commented.

“This feasibility study gives us the opportunity to look at the potential benefits and challenges of the use of four-stroke ammonia-fuelled marine engines in offshore support vessels, determining whether they will offer a more sustainable solution in this part of the maritime sector,” Richard Osborne, Ricardo’s Global Technical Expert in Sustainable Engines, said.

“Brunel has long pioneered ammonia research, from fuel blends for lorries to new applications in shipping. We’re delighted to be working with other leaders in their fields to take the next step in proving ammonia’s potential as a zero-carbon fuel and in setting the standards to decarbonise one of the hardest sectors,” Xinyan Wang, Professor and UKRI Future Leaders Fellow at Brunel University of London, explained.

“We’re excited to be able to understand how ammonia can help the Port to offer cleaner fuels to our customers as part of the transition to clean energy, and to also play a foundational role in helping to establish the safety standards for use of this future fuel in the UK and beyond,” Joanne Allday, Head of Strategy and Business Development for Port of Cromarty Firth, added.

The project will commence shortly and to conclude in spring 2026.

Project FASTMOVE is funded by the UK government through the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) program in the Department for Transport. UK SHORE has allocated over £230 million (about €265 million) since 2022 to over 247 projects, leveraging over £107m in private investment.

Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, is the main delivery partner for UK SHORE interventions, including the flagship Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition and ZEVI: Battery electric vessels and charging infrastructure competitions.

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