The AMAZE (AMmoniA Zero Emission) project aims to develop and demonstrate a new multi-fuel, fuel-flexible, clean and efficient thermal power cycle for maritime propulsion and power generation.

AMAZE is a three-year technology study led by led by maritime engines manufacturer Bergen Engines in collaboration with Equinor, SINTEF Energy Research, SINTEF Ocean, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), and RISE Fire Research.

The partners share the common goal to support the maritime industry in reaching climate neutrality and will contribute with research and development in their respective areas of expertise.

AMAZE is a 4 MEUR project funded jointly between Bergen Engines, the Research Council of Norway and Equinor.

RISE Fire Research is responsible for the work on the safety assessment of using liquid ammonia as a fuel for internal combustion engines in a ship. We focus on fire safety and toxicity as well as the effectiveness of extinguishing systems.

The AMAZE project is a response to increasingly stringent emission requirements for the shipping industry. Fossil fuels have the highest energy density of all known fuels and are therefore also most common in the industry today.

In order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the world’s maritime community is looking for alternative fuels. One of these alternatives is Carbon-free hydrogen, but it has the lowest energy density per unit volume and is challenging to use for deep-sea shipping as it is very space-intensive.

Another alternative is Ammonia, which is a derivative of hydrogen. In liquid form, Ammonia is a promising carbon-free fuel for deep-sea shipping, as it has a higher calorific value than hydrogen per volume basis, and it is therefore easier to store and handle.