Maersk Tankers' Ammonia Power Tanker Retrofit Project Gets EU Funding

Maersk Tankers’ proposal to retrofit its Very Large Ammonia Carriers (VLACs) for ammonia power has been selected for funding by the EU Innovation Fund. The first-of-its-kind project, designed to adapt the large vessels to use ammonia as a marine fuel, is in keeping with the pioneering adoption steps by the industry for ammonia power.

The proposal submitted to the EU fund calls for retrofitting the ocean-going ships. Known as Ripple, the project envisions equipping the vessels with dual-fuel ammonia two-stroke engines as the first retrofit of its kind in the EU for a VLAC. Maersk Tankers reports the project will demonstrate the commercial viability of ammonia-fueled operations.

The company proposed retrofitting four of its VLACs, saying that by running on the fuel, the retrofitted carriers would avoid over 1.2 metric tonnes of CO2e in 10 years.

The EU Innovation Fund selected the Ripple Project as part of 77 additional projects designated for funding. The latest round for the fund was launched in December 2025, and according to the European Commission, it will entail €3.4 billion for investments. They noted it would reinvest the revenues from the EU Emissions Trading System into innovative decarbonization technologies.

The selected projects will begin negotiations to finalize their funding grants, including confirming budgets and timetables. The EU expects to complete the process in the first quarter of 2027 after the projects prepare grant agreements.

Maersk Tankers has taken delivery of the first two of a series of 10 VLACs it ordered. The first vessel, Jane Maersk, with a 93,000 cbm capacity, was delivered by HD Hyundai Samho in July. The vessel measures 221 meters (725 feet) in length. The ship is equipped to transport either liquefied ammonia or LPG. The second vessel, Jessie Maersk, was delivered to the company on October 21. The deliveries will continue until September 2028.

Samho highlights that because liquefied ammonia has a higher specific gravity than LPG, it requires advanced hull and unloading systems compared to conventional LPG carriers. The yard sees it as an emerging segment, noting it already has a backlog of 22 vessels worth $2.55 billion, including nine orders for VLACs it received this year.

It is part of an emerging trend in the industry. DNV calculates there are 41 ammonia-fueled vessels now on order. Exmar took delivery earlier this year of its first ammonia-fueled gas carriers and CMB.TECH recently highlighted the delivery of the first ammonia-fueled bulkers for its Bocimar division. On October 21, Eastern Pacific Shipping celebrated the naming of its first Very Large Ammonia Carrier at the HD Hyundai Heavy Industries yard in Ulsan, South Korea. Also, a 93,000 cbm vessel, they reported it is powered by the first Everllence B&W ammonia dual-fuel two-stroke engine.

Maersk Tankers highlighted that the project would move it a step closer in its efforts to reduce emissions. It said moving ahead with the retrofits would depend on securing commercial commitments from customers.