Today, long-distance maritime transport supports 80–90% of all global trade. As such, the sector holds significant potential for climate-beneficial transformation through the adoption of green fuels. In response to this, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has set an ambitious target for the maritime industry to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to around net-zero by 2050.
The GAMMA project—Green Ammonia and Biomethanol fuel MAritime Vessels—brings together companies and researchers from across Europe to develop and retrofit a bulk carrier to operate on climate-neutral fuels and green power. The project aims to demonstrate a scalable, replicable pathway for decarbonizing maritime transport through the safe integration of green fuels and advanced energy systems.
At the heart of GAMMA is the development, integration, and demonstration of a modular, containerized alternative fuel energy system designed for maritime retrofit applications. The project will retrofit one of ANT TOPIC’s Ultramax vessels with a system that enables the use of biomethanol and green ammonia—two promising and accessible renewable fuels—as hydrogen carriers.
These fuels will be bunkered onboard and converted into hydrogen using ammonia cracker and methanol reformer technologies. The hydrogen will then be purified to >99.9% and used to generate electricity via a 1 MW low-temperature PEM fuel cell, replacing fossil-fuel-powered auxiliary generators. Additionally, PV panels installed on the vessel’s hatch covers will supply part of the energy required for hydrogen conversion, further reducing the vessel’s carbon footprint.
GAMMA will be the first-ever demonstration of a low-temperature PEM fuel cell system operating on sustainable fuels at this scale in a marine environment. This includes validating the performance of steam methanol reforming and ammonia cracking technologies in real-world conditions.
By demonstrating a viable retrofit solution, GAMMA aims to provide the maritime sector with a replicable strategy for integrating new fuels and conversion technologies into existing fleets.
Key demonstration outcomes include:
• Safe and autonomous operation of auxiliary engines powered by hydrogen fuel cells.
• Safe bunkering of biomethanol and green ammonia in interested ports.
• Comprehensive data collection on fuel system performance and environmental impact.
• A well-to-wake analysis demonstrating at least a 30% reduction in GHG emissions.
The project’s scale and ambition are significant: with a €13 million grant from the EC Horizon Europe framework programme for innovation, GAMMA will run over five years (until end of 2028) and is delivered by a consortium of 16 partners from 9 countries.
GAMMA sets the stage for a transformative shift in maritime energy systems. By proving the technical, operational, and environmental viability of green ammonia and biomethanol as marine fuels, the project will pave the way for large-scale adoption of zero-emission technologies in commercial shipping. Its impact is expected to extend beyond the demonstration vessel, offering a blueprint for retrofitting fleets across the global maritime industry.
