Trade press release
Full speed ahead with GEA refrigeration technology for shipping
September 3, 2024
At the world's leading trade fair SMM 2024 in Hamburg, GEA will be presenting a comprehensive portfolio for refrigeration and gas compression on board of ships. The GEA Grasso M screw compressor is at the heart of many refrigeration and freezing plants on cruise ships and fishing vessels. The GEA gas screw compressors are optimized for compressing natural and industrial gases aboard ships. For instance, the possibilities of using ammonia as a marine fuel or becoming a carrier for H₂ hydrogen.
The GEA Grasso M screw compressor is at the heart of many refrigeration and freezing plants on cruise ships and fishing vessels. (Photo: GEA)
Refrigeration technology from GEA for the maritime industry – standard designs for customized solutions
GEA compressors have been meeting the high demands of the shipping industry for many years. Based on a wide range of screw compressors, GEA supplies numerous refrigeration equipment for ships operating with natural refrigerants like ammonia and CO₂. GEA gas compressors are the right choice for LNG applications and also a perfect fit for gaseous ammonia (as fuel or hydrogen carrier) or other applications such as CO₂ separation. The GEA compressor packages are very user friendly, well known for high efficiency and reliability, and have low maintenance requirements throughout the entire life cycle. All this results in a low total cost of ownership (TCO).
Ammonia - a promising alternative for shipping
To reduce harmful emissions, more and more ships will be powered by alternative fuels to heavy fuel oil and diesel in the future. Experts predict that around a quarter of all ships on the world's oceans will be powered by ammonia and also the share of other future fuels, liquefied petroleum gas, and biofuels will further increase.
Everything from a single source – GEA
GEA produces components such as compressors, separators, housings, valves and filters in its own production facilities. GEA is well known in this particular part of the marine industry. Meeting the requirements of the classification authorities for design, type approval and integration on board is part of GEA's daily business. That is why GEA is firmly committed to advancing this technology and supporting global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Dr. Michael Golek
About GEA
GEA is one of the world’s largest suppliers of systems and components to the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries.
The international technology group, founded in 1881, focuses on machinery and plants, as well as advanced process technology, components and comprehensive services. For instance, every second pharma separator for essential healthcare products such as vaccines or novel biopharmaceuticals is produced by GEA. In food, every fourth package of pasta or every third chicken nugget are processed with GEA technology.
With more than 18,000 employees, the group generated sales of about EUR 5.5 billion in more than 150 countries in the 2025 fiscal year. GEA plants, processes, components and services enhance the efficiency and sustainability of customers’ production. They contribute significantly to the reduction of CO2 emissions, plastic usage and food waste. In doing so, GEA makes a key contribution toward a sustainable future, in line with the company’s purpose: ”Engineering for a better world.”
GEA is listed on the German MDAX, the European STOXX® Europe 600 Index and is also a constituent of the leading sustainability indices DAX 50 ESG, MSCI Global Sustainability and Dow Jones Best-in-Class World.
