Lloyd’s Register (LR) has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with German developer DAI Infrastruktur for Project Ra, a large-scale green ammonia production and bunkering development at East Port Said, Egypt.
The appointment comes as shipowners move to secure access to alternative marine fuels in response to the IMO GHG reduction measures adopted at MEPC 83. These measures will require the use of low- and zero-carbon fuels from 2030 onwards and introduce carbon pricing mechanisms that will raise the cost of fossil fuel use across the sector.
Project Ra is expected to have a production capacity of up to 2m tonnes of green ammonia annually (mtpa). Ra is expected to produce 1.65m tonnes of green ammonia solely from renewable energy sources. Production is scheduled to start in 2029. The facility’s location, next to the Suez Canal, offers a critical bunkering hub for ammonia-fuelled vessels navigating one of the world’s busiest shipping routes.
Under the agreement, LR will deliver a range of advisory services throughout the project lifecycle. These include demand-side pricing analyses, infrastructure planning, asset integrity and risk assessments, regulatory guidance, lifecycle GHG emissions analysis, and market and offtake strategy support. LR will undertake concept design reviews, feasibility studies and performance benchmarking aligned to ISO 55000.
Panos Mitrou, LR Global Gas Segment Director, said: “Our partnership with DAI demonstrates LR’s commitment to supporting the development of critical alternative fuel supply chains that will enable shipowners to navigate the post-MEPC 83 regulatory landscape successfully. By providing comprehensive advisory capabilities across market, infrastructure, and operational domains, LR is uniquely equipped to ensure this significant project delivers both commercial success and meaningful environmental impact.”
Ioannis Papassavvas, DAI CEO, added: “Project Ra represents a critical step in delivering green ammonia at the scale and reliability the maritime sector urgently needs. LR’s advisory support will be vital to ensure Project Ra meets the highest international standards, while aligning with the long-term needs of shipowners and global regulators. The Ra green ammonia project is expected to play a key role in supplying European ports—particularly in Germany and Greece—with green ammonia. This ammonia can serve multiple purposes, including use as bunkering fuel, electricity generation, and reducing CO₂ emissions in industrial processes such as steel production.”
Image: Project Ra green ammonia hub (source: Lloyds Register)
