Zero-emission fuels and vessels will need to start being deployed at scale over the next decade to achieve full decarbonization of the shipping sector by 2050. This ambitious goal could be catalyzed by ammonia green corridors.

On November 10th 2021, the signatories of the Clydebank Declaration committed to support the development of at least 6 green corridors — zero-emission maritime routes between two or more ports — within this decade. Signed and launched during COP26 in Glasgow, the declaration gathers 24 maritime nations, working towards establishment of partnerships, identification and exploration of barriers, developing national plans and supporting the sustainable and equitable development of these corridors.

The signatories to the Clydebank Declaration are Australia, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Denmark, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Palau, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, The United States of America.

The ambition is for ships trading between these ports to run on alternative low greenhouse gas emission fuels. Ammonia stands among the options as such an alternative.

But what are maritime ammonia green corridors?

In the absence of existing production, infrastructure or industry demand for alternative fuels, the concept joins the development of both fuel supply and shipping demand in its simplest form, at one individual trade route.

These corridors would ideally be large enough to include all relevant value-chain actors, such as fuel producers, cargo owners, and regulatory authorities. They would provide off-take certainty to fuel producers and send strong signals to vessel operators, shipyards, and engine manufacturers to ramp up investment in zero-emission shipping — making the risks more acceptable for all involved.

As the first ammonia green corridors pilots are launched, learnings will be captured to drive developments elsewhere. Maritime ammonia stakeholders have an opportunity to get early learnings through ammonia green corridors collaborations, to understand where demand will most imminently develop, and how they therefore need to support.

Our work with ammonia

Universal Kraft works with ammonia as a green option to fossil fuels, providing the same functionality on a large scale. These green power alternatives are fundamental for a sustainable and complete clean energy transition. Universal Kraft has been working on alternative and innovative energy carriers and storage solutions for a number of years. To optimize the decarbonization potential of renewables for the generation of green hydrogen and ammonia we created the companies UH2 and BH2.

Discover all our projects here.