DNV has granted approval in principle (AiP) for the NH3 floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) concept developed by Netherlands-based SwitchH2 and BW Offshore Ltd. The concept involves converting either a very large crude carrier or a dedicated newbuild vessel to produce hydrogen by electrolysis of seawater and nitrogen through an air separation unit, using both as feedstock for ammonia synthesis.
The AiP covers all aspects of the integrated vessel concept including structural integrity, mooring, ammonia production, ammonia storage, and cargo handling. With the approval in place the project can now begin basic design.
Produced ammonia would be condensed, with the liquid ammonia stored in the hull for subsequent offloading to an ammonia carrier. The FPSO would receive most of its power from a wind farm.
In January 2023 Norway-based H2Carrier AS (H2C) signed an MOU with Larsen & Toubro (L&T) for cooperation in development of a separate floating green ammonia project, P2xFloater. Under the MOU, L&T also will become an engineering, procurement, construction, installation, and commissioning partner for the vessel’s topsides process plant, designing and fabricating the modules to produce green hydrogen and green ammonia, including the system’s electrolyzers, nitrogen generation, and ammonia synthesis.
H2C plans to build the P2XFloater hulls in yards in Asia. Installation and integration of the topsides modules could occur in India or elsewhere.
