Under a term sheet agreement, the Swiss-Swedish multinational technology company will engineer and supply automation and electrification solutions for the vessel.
Specifically, ABB will provide the systems that generate, distribute, and manage electrical power on the vessel, including its prefabricated eHouse housing switchgear, transformers, and control panels.
The company will also supply its ABB Ability System 800xA Integrated Control and Safety System (ICSS) to automate and monitor key processes, from electrolysis and ammonia synthesis to storage.
“By integrating ABB’s advanced electrification and automation systems, we are demonstrating how technology-driven partnerships can accelerate innovation, shaping the future of energy at sea,” explained Saskia Kunst, SwitcH2 CEO.
Last October, the Dutch clean energy firm selected PEM electrolyser manufacturer Ohmium to supply 300MW of units capable of producing up to 243,000 tonnes of green ammonia annually.
The FPSO will use treated seawater and electrolysis to produce green hydrogen, which will be combined with nitrogen to form green ammonia.
The ammonia will then be condensed, stored onboard, and offloaded via a floating hose for transport to ports for use as marine fuel or reconversion to hydrogen.
SwitcH2 has confirmed the front-end engineering and design (FEED) phase is expected to continue until summer 2026, with a final investment decision (FID) due by Q3 2026. Detailed engineering and construction will then follow in 2027.
Ammonia nearing proof of concept in shipping
Ammonia is rapidly approaching proof of concept as a shipping fuel, with the first ammonia-powered vessels successfully piloted, engine testing near completion, and bunkering trials underway at major ports, according to a new Global Maritime Forum report.
While ammonia is ready for piloting in shipping and methanol for low-carbon operations, both require a concerted push if they are to be mature enough to rapidly scale from around 2030, in line with industry targets, the From pilots to practice: Methanol and ammonia as shipping fuels report notes.
It finds the key area to be addressed is the fuel supply chain – in the case of methanol, enhancing the availability of green molecules; for ammonia, validating and rolling out commercial ammonia bunkering at key ports.
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