Babcock LGE has been awarded an inaugural contract to deliver its marine ammonia fuel supply system, ecoFGSS-FLEX, which the company says allows the safe, efficient and sustainable use of ammonia as a propulsion fuel.
This is seen as a significant step towards decarbonising global shipping. By enabling the use of ammonia as a marine fuel in place of traditional fossil fuels, the technology supports a cleaner, more sustainable future. The contract is thought to demonstrate LGE’s commitment to advancing clean energy solutions and accelerating the maritime sector’s transition to zero-carbon fuels.
The new technology, developed in-house by the Babcock LGE engineering team, will be used on board four medium gas carriers for Trafigura, being built at Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD). The technology is designed to integrate seamlessly with wider, existing ship systems and to meet the highest safety and environmental standards.
Neale Campbell, MD Babcock LGE, said: “Our focus remains on delivering future-ready, sustainable solutions that help our customers navigate the transition to cleaner energy. Ammonia has the potential to be a game-changer in the marine industry’s drive towards decarbonisation and sustainability. We’re proud to be leading this transformation, and this contract reflects both the strength of our approach and the confidence in our innovative technology to meet evolving industry demands.”
Andrea Olivi, Global Head of Shipping, Trafigura, added: “We’re proud to be working with Babcock’s LGE business to help make ammonia a practical, safe and cleaner fuel for the shipping industry. Their experience and technology are key to making this possible. As one of the world’s largest vessel charterers, we’re always looking for ways to cut emissions – and using dual-fuel ships gives us the flexibility to adopt low-emission options like ammonia as they become more widely available.”
LGE believes its ecoFGSS-FLEX enables customers to support the IMO targets for reducing GHG emissions. The company is working with several other leading shipowners to integrate this new technology onto newbuilding, as well as some retrofit projects.
Deployment of the system is scheduled to begin in 2027, with full operational capability expected by the end of that year.
Image: Babcock LGE ecoFGSS-FLEX ammonia fuel system (source: Babcock International)
