Wärtsilä, a leading technology company, has achieved a significant milestone with its groundbreaking technology called Wärtsilä Ammonia Release Mitigation Systems (WARMS).

Recently, it received Approval in Principle (AiP) from the classification society DNV for the use of WARMS on ammonia-fueled ships and gas tankers. This innovative system addresses the risks associated with ammonia as a future fuel, ensuring safety for both human health and the environment.

The WARMS technology is designed to minimize emissions and enhance safety measures when handling ammonia. It significantly reduces ammonia emissions to less than 30 parts per million (ppm), with most cases reaching close to zero ppm. By effectively mitigating the hazards associated with ammonia, WARMS helps pave the way for ammonia to become a crucial component of the future maritime fuel mix.

DNV, recognizing the importance of safety in adopting alternative fuels, awarded the AiP to Wärtsilä’s WARMS. The DNV Class notation gas-fueled ammonia and GF NH3 (gas tankers fueled by ammonia) were both covered by the approval, underlining the system’s compliance with the most advanced technical standards in the maritime industry.

Dalibor Bukarica, Head of Section, Piping Systems & Alternative Fuels at DNV, highlighted the significance of this achievement, stating, “Wärtsilä’s innovative Ammonia Release Mitigation Systems (WARMS) align with our goal of offering a practical path for ammonia as a zero-carbon fuel option. We are delighted to collaborate with Wärtsilä to demonstrate to their customers that this solution is developed in accordance with the highest technical standards in the maritime industry.”

Ole Fjeld, Product Line Manager, Inert Gas Systems Offshore at Wärtsilä Gas Solutions, emphasized the company’s commitment to meeting evolving regulations and decarbonization objectives. Fjeld stated, “WARMS is designed to comply with both current and anticipated legislation, and it is an essential component of Wärtsilä’s decarbonization journey.”

WARMS boasts features such as accurate and continuous emission monitoring, staged and controlled combustion, minimal energy consumption and waste, and a compact footprint. It offers a green and safe alternative to traditional methods of handling ammonia, such as venting pure ammonia, diluting it with air, or bubbling it in hazardous dirty water tanks.

Wärtsilä’s expertise in developing solutions for safeguarding ships, crews, cargoes, and the environment spans more than six decades. With WARMS, the company reinforces its commitment to providing innovative technologies for the maritime industry’s decarbonization efforts.