ABB to automate and electrify green-ammonia production vessel

ABB reported Oct. 8 that it’s agreed to engineer and supply automation and electrification solutions for SwitcH2’s floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel. This facility is dedicated to producing green ammonia from green hydrogen to support future demand for low-carbon marine fuels. The FPSO will be stationed off the coast of Portugal and powered by certified renewable electricity from the national grid under a power-purchase agreements. It will feature a 300 MW electrolyzer with the potential to produce up to 243,000 tonnes of green ammonia annually. 

As part of the term agreement, ABB intends to deliver a prefabricated eHouse, electrical distribution systems and ABB Ability System 800xA integrated control and safety system (ICSS) with full cybersecurity capabilities. These modular, ready-to-deploy systems will help ensure safe, efficient and reliable operations offshore. ABB’s solutions will integrate with third-party equipment, including electrolyzers and ammonia synthesis units. Front-end engineering and design (FEED) work is expected to run until summer 2026, with a final investment decision (FID) due by 3Q26. Detailed engineering and construction will follow in 2027. 

“This collaboration represents a key step in advancing offshore production capabilities for next-generation marine fuels,” says Saskia Kunst, CEO of SwitcH2. “By integrating ABB’s advanced electrification and automation systems, we’re demonstrating how technology-driven partnerships can accelerate innovation, shaping the future of energy at sea.”

The FPSO will use treated seawater for electrolysis to produce green hydrogen. This hydrogen will be combined with nitrogen extracted from the air to create green ammonia. Once synthesized, the ammonia will be condensed and stored onboard. It will then be transferred to carrier ships via a floating hose system for transport to ports, where it can be used as a marine fuel or cracked back to hydrogen for industrial use. 

“As with other hard-to-abate industries, we’re committed to helping the marine sector operate leaner and cleaner. Our leading technologies in automation and electrification will enable this project to run with greater efficiently,” adds Per Erik Holsten, president of ABB’s Energy Industries division. “Green ammonia offers a technically viable method for decarbonizing marine transport, and this FPSO concept showcases how renewable energy can be leveraged to unlock low carbon energy value chains.”