A new partnership between ABB and SwitcH2 aims to demonstrate the potential for large-scale offshore production of green ammonia in a step forward in developing low-carbon fuel supply chains for maritime transport.
SwitcH2, a developer of offshore hydrogen and ammonia projects, plans to deploy a floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel off the coast of Portugal. Under a recently signed term sheet agreement, ABB will provide automation and electrification systems for the unit, which will produce green ammonia using renewable electricity and seawater, with an annual output capacity of up to 243,000 tonnes.
The FPSO will incorporate a 300 MW electrolyser powered by certified renewable electricity under Power Purchase Agreements with Portugal’s national grid. Hydrogen generated from electrolysis will be combined with nitrogen extracted from the air to produce green ammonia, which will be stored onboard and transferred via a floating hose system to carrier ships for transport. The ammonia could be used directly as a marine fuel or reconverted into hydrogen for industrial applications.
To support this complex offshore process, ABB will supply a prefabricated eHouse, electrical distribution systems and the ABB Ability System 800xA Integrated Control and Safety System with full cybersecurity integration. The company said its modular, ready-to-deploy systems will enable efficient and safe offshore operations, while ensuring seamless integration with third-party components such as electrolysers and ammonia synthesis units.
Saskia Kunst, CEO of SwitcH2, said the collaboration ‘represents a key step in advancing offshore production capabilities for next-generation marine fuels. 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.’
Per Erik Holsten, President of ABB’s Energy Industries division, commented: ‘As with other hard-to-abate industries, we are 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 efficiency.’ He added that the FPSO concept ‘showcases how renewable energy can be leveraged to unlock low-carbon energy value chains.’
Front-end engineering and design work is expected to continue until summer 2026, with a final investment decision scheduled for the third quarter of that year. Detailed engineering and construction are planned to commence in 2027.
