Image credit : azanefs.com

As the global shipping industry faces increasing pressure to reduce carbon emissions and adopt sustainable energy sources, alternative fuels have become a crucial focus for innovation. Among potential alternatives, ammonia has emerged as a promising fuel that could significantly contribute to the decarbonization of maritime transportation. However, the widespread adoption of ammonia as a marine fuel requires specialized infrastructure, safe handling procedures, and efficient bunkering solutions.

In the face of these challenges, two industry players, Amon Maritime and ECONNECT Energy, came together to establish Azane Fuel Solutions in 2021 to develop the necessary systems and technologies to enable the safe and effective use of ammonia in the shipping industry. To this end, Azane aims to offer turnkey solutions which encompass the entire value chain of ammonia bunkering—from feasibility studies and engineering to construction, installation, testing, commissioning and operational support.

Their core offerings encompass:

• Bunkering Solutions: Designing and implementing bunkering terminals customized to specific locations, considering factors such as expected fuel demand, types of vessels, and local harbor conditions. It’s including onshore bunkering, Floating bunkering, Also self-propelled bunkering barge (bunker vessel) for end users or locations with restricted land space
• Ammonia Handling: Providing integrated solutions for processing and handling ammonia as a fuel or cargo, developed in collaboration with industry experts and end-users. It’s including azaFLEX® vapor management & reliquefication system, Control & automation system & separate safety control system, Complete transfer system & ammonia handling system, Insulated type C storage tank including pump(s), build in ammonia safety system incl release mitigation system
• Integrated Ammonia Safety: Offering safety solutions that include leak prevention and mitigation, gas freeing, inerting, safe handling during transfer operations, and minimizing atmospheric venting of ammonia.

Image credit : azanefs.com

In February 2025, Azane, which operates out of Oslo, appointed Steinar Kostøl as CEO, bringing extensive experience to steer the company’s ambitious projects.  The company has also secured significant investments to bolster its initiatives. In October 2023, Yara Growth Ventures AS, the venture investment arm of Yara International ASA, and Navigator Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: NVGS),  led a €5.4 million (approximately $5.7 million) Series “A” investment round in Azane valuing the company at roughly €37 million. This funding was earmarked for the construction of the first of 15 planned ammonia bunkering units, marking a pivotal step toward establishing a comprehensive ammonia bunkering network. The company has also collaborated with Amogy, a provider of ammonia-to-power technology, to explore the feasibility of integrating Amogy’s system into Azane’s bunker vessel concept. This partnership aims to achieve zero-emission bunkering operations, further supporting the decarbonization of the shipping industry.

One of the biggest challenges Azane Fuel Solutions faces in scaling ammonia bunkering is the current scarcity of green ammonia production. While ammonia itself is widely available, the vast majority is produced using fossil fuels, primarily through the Haber-Bosch process, which emits significant CO₂. To truly decarbonize shipping, Azane’s infrastructure must rely on green ammonia—produced using renewable energy to extract hydrogen via electrolysis—yet global production remains limited and expensive due to high energy costs, underdeveloped supply chains, and a lack of large-scale commercial facilities. However, as interest in the broader green ammonia market grows, we are already seeing large companies such as Siemens, MAN Energy Solutions, and Nel Hydrogen Solutions exploring green ammonia production technologies, potentially positioning them as future suppliers (and maybe competitors) to Azane.

As maritime stakeholders watch closely for the most viable alternative fuel to emerge, Azane is eager to prove that ammonia is best poised to take this title. By providing the necessary infrastructure for ammonia bunkering, Azane addresses a critical bottleneck in adopting green ammonia as a marine fuel. This advancement not only aligns with global emission reduction targets but also sets a precedent for integrating alternative fuels into mainstream maritime operations. As the industry grapples with the challenges of decarbonization, Azane’s pioneering solutions may well offer a viable pathway to a cleaner, more sustainable future

References

Azane – Fuel Solutions. (n.d.). https://azanefs.com/

Yara and Navigator Holdings Ltd. lead investment into Azane Fuel Solutions to realize world’s first ammonia bunkering solution. (2023, October 25). Yara None. https://www.yara.com/corporate-releases/yara-and-navigator-holdings-ltd.-lead-investment-into-azane-fuel-solutions-to-realize-worlds-first-ammonia-bunkering-solution/

Amogy | Power Ahead towards Net Zero. (2025, February 5). https://amogy.co/

Bahtić, F. (2024, August 27). Azane wins DNV’s AiP for ammonia release mitigation system. Offshore Energy. https://www.offshore-energy.biz/azane-wins-dnvs-aip-for-ammonia-release-mitigation-system/

Brown, T. (2022, April 6). Azane Fuel Solutions – Ammonia Energy Association. Ammonia Energy Association. https://ammoniaenergy.org/organization/azane-fuel-solutions/

Contributor : Ariana Tri Asti
Reviewer : Imam Buchari