Korean Register (KR) has successfully developed and demonstrated an exhaust gas after-treatment system for ammonia-fuelled engines, achieving a 95 per cent reduction in nitrogen oxides (NOx) and a 99.7 per cent reduction in ammonia (NH₃) emissions.
Ammonia slip was cut dramatically from 10,000 parts per million (ppm) to just 30 ppm, marking a significant step toward commercialising ammonia as a carbon-free marine fuel.
The system was developed under the government-backed “Comprehensive Management Technology Development for Ship Greenhouse Gas Emissions” project, supported by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the Korea Institute of Marine Science & Technology Promotion.
KR led the initiative in collaboration with EcoPro HN and HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, and the prototype underwent extended testing at the KR Green Ship Test & Certification Center (KR TCC), where durability and performance were confirmed.
The project also involved HD Hyundai Marine Solution, the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology, and other leading industry, academic, and research partners, ensuring a comprehensive end-to-end development and demonstration process.
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Ammonia is emerging as a key next-generation marine fuel, producing no CO2 or SOx during combustion and offering relative ease of storage and transport.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), ammonia could represent around 44 per cent of marine fuel consumption by 2050 under a net-zero pathway.
However, ammonia engine exhaust can still release pollutants such as NOx, N2O, and unburned ammonia, making effective after-treatment technology essential for commercial adoption
KIM Daeheon, Executive Vice President of KR, said: “For the commercialisation of ammonia-fuelled vessels, securing exhaust gas after-treatment technology is just as important as fuel technology itself. Through this demonstration, we have validated the effectiveness of the jointly developed system. Going forward, we plan to expand its application to various dual-fuel engines and actively support the transition toward carbon-free shipping.”
For more information:
Korean Register (KR) – https://www.krs.co.kr/kor/
