About TWI
TWI is a world-leading membership-based organisation, supporting both individuals and companies with authoritative, impartial expertise. We empower our members through cutting-edge engineering, materials science, and joining technologies — helping them design, create, and operate products that set new standards of excellence, safety, and performance.
Spanning the entire innovation lifecycle — from research and development to knowledge transfer and practical problem-solving — TWI delivers unrivalled support across welding, joining, surface engineering, inspection, and whole-life integrity management. Evolving from the prestigious British Welding Research Association (BWRA), TWI has grown into one of the foremost independent research and technology organisations, recognised globally for technical excellence and innovation leadership.
TWI’s pivotal contribution to the advancement of ammonia-powered maritime technologies is exemplified by its key role in the NH3CRAFT project. This groundbreaking initiative is dedicated to developing safe, scalable, and commercially viable solutions for the large-scale storage and transportation of ammonia as a next-generation marine fuel. Within NH3CRAFT, TWI leads critical technical workstreams, including comprehensive safety and risk assessments, techno-commercial evaluations, and the development of a forward-looking technology roadmap to guide innovation beyond the project lifecycle.
Extending its commitment to the future of sustainable maritime operations, TWI has also launched a collaborative joint industry project investigating the permeation of pressurised CO₂, ammonia, and associated impurities through thermoset materials. This pioneering research is instrumental in advancing our understanding of material barrier properties — a crucial factor for the safe and efficient storage and transportation of ammonia fuels.
Through these initiatives, TWI is positioning itself at the cutting edge of ammonia-powered maritime innovation, driving the transition towards a cleaner, more sustainable future for global shipping.
Meet the Experts Driving NH3CRAFT Forward
- [Xiaofei Cui] & [Principal Project Leader]: Responsible in project management, performing risk and safety assessment, techno-economic assessment and the development of technology roadmap.
- [Antony Jopen] & [Principal Project Leader]: Responsible in performing structural integrity, risk and safety assessment for hazardous areas on ships, and develops safety assessment guidelines.
- [Xing Sun] & [Consultant]: Providing consultancy services in explanation of the system design. Contribution to the concept development of the digital twin for ammonia applications.
How [TWI] is Powering NH3CRAFT’s Success
- [Comprehensive risk and safety analysis] – NH3CRAFT has undertaken a rigorous and comprehensive suite of safety evaluations, including Hazard Identification (HAZID), Hazard and Operability (HAZOP) studies, and Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) workshops. These critical assessments have been seamlessly integrated into the foundational engineering designs of our demonstrator vessels, ensuring that safety is not an afterthought, but a core principle embedded from the very first stages of development.
This proactive, best-in-class approach has not only reinforced our commitment to operational excellence but has also been instrumental in the creation of modular, scalable ammonia storage solutions. Engineered to meet the diverse needs of the maritime sector, these systems are designed to support a wide range of vessel types — from bulk carriers and tankers to container ships, RoPax ferries, and inland waterway vessels.
By prioritizing safety, adaptability, and innovation, NH3CRAFT is setting new standards for the future of sustainable maritime operations.
- [Techno-economic assessment] – TWI has conducted in-depth evaluations that seamlessly blend technical performance with economic viability. These comprehensive assessments encompass the analysis of demonstrator vessels and the exploration of scalability across a broad spectrum of ship types — including bulk carriers, tankers, container ships, RoPax ferries, and inland waterway vessels.
Key financial metrics such as return on investment (ROI), payback period (PBP), and net present value (NPV) have been rigorously analysed to deliver a clear, data-driven understanding of commercial feasibility. By aligning technical innovation with robust economic analysis, TWI is paving the way for scalable, profitable solutions that are ready to transform the future of maritime transport.
- [Development of technology roadmap] – NH3CRAFT’s technology roadmap serves as a strategic blueprint, meticulously aligning the project’s groundbreaking innovations with its overarching vision. Through the seamless coordination of activities across key work packages — including safety assessments, regulatory framework development, and techno-economic evaluations — the roadmap ensures that every initiative advances in a unified, purpose-driven direction.
This integrated approach not only accelerates the deployment of ammonia as a viable maritime fuel but also strengthens the project’s ability to address critical industry challenges with precision and foresight. By charting a clear, scalable path forward, NH3CRAFT is positioning itself at the forefront of the clean energy transition, delivering transformative solutions that will redefine the future of sustainable shipping.
NH3CRAFT is a Co-funded by the European Commission Project. UK participation in NH3CRAFT Project is funded by UK Research and Innovation(UKRI) under the UK government’s Horizon Europe guarantee [grant numbers 10038548 and 10037828].
