Singapore-based project to tackle one of energy transition’s ‘hardest engineering challenges’

February 10, 2026, by Nadja Skopljak

A new industry-academia research collaboration project, led by the National University of Singapore’s Centre for Hydrogen Innovations (CHI), has been launched with a focus on the development of next-generation ammonia-fuelled marine engines with near-zero emissions to help in speeding up the decarbonization of the global shipping industry.

Source: National University of Singapore

Officially launched on February 4, the project focuses on a novel in-cylinder reforming gas recirculation (IRGR) engine concept designed to address key limitations that have so far constrained the wider adoption of ammonia as a marine fuel.

The project, with funding support from the Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI), includes partners from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Nanyang Technological University, the A*STAR National Metrology Centre and Keppel Energy Nexus, alongside industry partners Daihatsu and the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS).

The launch event also saw the formal signing of research collaboration agreements between NUS and Daihatsu, and between NUS and ABS.

“Ammonia has been recognised as one of the most promising fuels for achieving near-zero greenhouse gas emissions in marine transportation, but current ammonia engines face significant challenges in efficiency and emissions,” said Associate Professor Yang Wenming (Mechanical Engineering), who leads the project as Principal Investigator. “The IRGR concept is designed to address these limitations by improving combustion efficiency while sharply reducing unburned ammonia and other pollutants.”

The project will be based in a dedicated laboratory on the CDE campus, featuring an engine test room, control room, and facilities for fundamental combustion and systems research. It is expected to run for three years, with the research team working towards scalable engine concepts that could support the future deployment of low- and zero-emissions vessels worldwide.

In addition to technical development, the initiative also aims to strengthen Singapore’s position as a hub for maritime innovation and sustainable shipping technologies by anchoring advanced engine research within a broader ecosystem of industry collaboration and talent development.

“This project is not merely the start of another research programme, but a deliberate step into one of the hardest and most consequential engineering challenges in the energy transition,” said Professor Lee Poh Seng, Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering. “Decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors like shipping requires technologies that can be validated, scaled and trusted in real-world operations.”

“Marine transportation is central to global trade, yet it remains one of the most challenging sectors to decarbonise. Through this project, the team aims to develop and demonstrate the world’s first prototype engine based on the IRGR concept, paving the way for the practical adoption of ammonia as a marine fuel,” said Professor Silvija Gradecak, Vice Dean (Research and Technology) at CDE.