The UK’s Maritime Decarbonisation Strategy commits the shipping sector to reaching zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Achieving this ambition will require coordinated and sustained action between government and industry, including targeted investment in green ammonia production, development of port bunkering infrastructure, supportive regulatory frameworks, and continued international collaboration.

Ammonia as a sustainable marine fuel - front page image

Policy briefing: Ammmonia as a sustainable marine fuel

Shipping underpins everyday life, yet it remains heavily reliant on fossil fuels and is a significant source of global greenhouse gas emissions. As the transition to a low‑carbon economy accelerates, the maritime sector faces increasing pressure to adopt cleaner, scalable fuel alternatives.

Green ammonia is emerging as a promising low‑carbon marine fuel. With an established global supply chain, proven storage and handling practices, and the ability to build on existing industrial systems, green ammonia offers a credible pathway to significantly reducing emissions from shipping while supporting long‑term decarbonisation goals.

Drawing on research from the MariNH3 project and the UK National Clean Maritime Research Hub, Dr Laura Norris and Dr Claire Copeland set out the case for green ammonia in a new policy briefing. The briefing explains what green ammonia is, why it matters for the future of shipping, and the policy action required to enable its safe and effective adoption.

The briefing explores policy implications across three interlinked areas: the use of ammonia as a marine fuel, the need to ensure sufficient supplies of genuinely green ammonia, and the management of safety considerations across the maritime and port sectors. Together, these insights provide a clear framework for policymakers seeking to translate the UK’s maritime decarbonisation ambitions into practical action.

This is the first in series of five briefings from the MariNH3. Whilst this first one focuses on policy, the second one, due in late May, provides a clear, high‑level overview of current evidence on low‑carbon maritime fuels, focusing on ammonia and hydrogen. It summarises what is known so far, highlights key knowledge gaps, and identifies where further research and validation are ongoing. All briefings will be posted on Reports – MariNH₃ once available.