A study led by trading giant Itochu Corporation and Vopak Terminals probing the potential of ammonia as a bunker fuel has added three new partners
Japanese shipping giant Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL), energy major Total and Singapore-based Pavilion Energy have now joined the project which was launched by Itochu and Vopak in June 2020.
Itochu said the three partners will contribute their expertise and experience in the segment, and are engaging in LNG bunkering business in Singapore.
Vopak, which has expertise in handling ammonia at its Banyan Terminal in Singapore, will oversee the development of an independent, onshore facility for storing and handling ammonia with loading and unloading facilities.
MOL will promote the development of an offshore facility – either a floating storage unit or ammonia bunkering vessel and the necessary safety guidelines.
Total will develop an ammonia fuel supply chain, safety guidelines for ammonia bunkering and bunkering infrastructure. Pavilion Energy will also take part in the development of the supply chain, leveraging its expertise in the operation of LNG as a bunker fuel in Singapore.
Itochu is also working on a project in Japan to develop ammonia bunkering infrastructure in partnership with several other domestic companies.
Singapore is fast emerging as the vanguard of the maritime industry’s decarbonisation drive.
Another bunkering study in Singapore involves class society ABS working with Nanyang Technological University Singapore, and the Ammonia Safety and Training Institute to assess safety protocols and probe gaps in the ammonia bunkering supply chain. That project also involves MAN Energy Systems and ExxonMobil.
In March, Keppel and AP Moller-Mærsk also announced plans for a feasibility study of using ammonia as a bunker fuel in Singapore.
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