Ammonia Power Startup Amogy Looks to Norway’s Maritime Cluster for Push Into Shipping

Brooklyn, New York-based startup Amogy has opened up a new office in Norway with the goal of accelerating the commercialization of its ammonia-to-power technology within maritime shipping.

Amogy, which was founded in 2020 by four MIT PhD alumni, is developing a scalable ammonia-powered, zero-emissions energy system tailored to the heavy-duty transportation sector, including cargo ships. The company raised $46 million in June to apply its systems to an 18-wheel tractor trailer as well as an ocean-going cargo ship. Its investors include Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund, AP Ventures, SK Innovation, Saudi Aramco Energy Ventures, DCVC and Newlab.

“Norway and its forward-thinking maritime industry recognized the immense opportunity that ammonia presents as a green fuel, which gave the country a head start in establishing the needed infrastructure, so it only makes sense for Amogy to establish a significant presence here,” said Seonghoon Woo, CEO of Amogy.

To lead Amogy’s new Scandinavian headquarters in Stavanger, Norway, the company has recruited Christian W. Berg, former Director at Yara Clean Ammonia, a unit of Norwegian chemicals company Yara International that specializes, in part, on low-emission fuel for shipping. Yara Clean Ammonia, operates “a global ammonia network with 12 ships and has access to 18 ammonia terminals,” as well as production and consumption sites.

“With Christian W. Berg, who has significant experience in accelerating the transition to ammonia, Amogy will have the immediate on-the-ground presence we need as we connect with potential partners and build our operations in the country,” added Woo.

Amogy will also open a satellite office in Stord, Norway co-located with the Maritime Cleantech (MCT) cluster headquarters office and the Catapult Centre Sustainable Energy test center, where it will look to test its zero-emission shipping technology in simulated real-life conditions. The company will also pursue strategic partnerships in the Scandinavian region, including a recent MOU signed with Amon Maritime, an ammonia-powered shipping and technology company, to create competitive, full-scale, carbon free transportation solutions.

“Amogy, far-and-away, has the most advanced technology when it comes to commercializing a system that will make green ammonia the optimal and preferred energy solution for long-haul shipping vessels.” said Berg. “My thorough understanding of ammonia and just how viable a solution it is for ships, in addition to my knowledge of the Norwegian market, will allow Amogy to lead in establishing much-needed pilots for the energy transition and rapidly accelerate the commercialization of our ammonia-to-power system. Norway will be a blueprint for further showcasing the impacts of these technologies around the world.”

So far, Amogy’s system has been successful demonstrated in a drone and heavy-duty tractor.

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