Japanese shipping company Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and compatriot firm Itochu Corporation have agreed to collaborate on ammonia bunkering demonstrations in Singapore.

IMAGE: Concept of an ammonia bunkering vessel. Itochu

Under the agreement, MOL and Itochu will conduct ship-to-ship ammonia bunkering demonstration in Singapore via their owned ammonia bunkering vessel and ammonia dual-fuel capesize bulkers, MOL said.

The demonstration is planned to be carried out in the second half of 2027, with the aim to “promote the early implementation of ammonia bunkering vessels and ammonia-fueled vessels,” MOL said.

Ammonia is widely transported as cargo but is still rarely used as a marine fuel due to limited engine technology and its highly toxic nature, which demands strict safety measures.

It is one of the many alternative fuels being considered by shipowners across the world, to reduce the sector’s carbon footprint, although widespread adoption is expected to take time.

Earlier this year, MOL teamed up with Belgian shipping company CMB.Tech to jointly own three ammonia-capable bulk carriers. These 210,000 dwt vessels bulk carriers will be built by China’s Qingdao Beihai Shipyard, with deliveries scheduled between 2026 and 2027.

Separately, Itochu has ordered a 5,000-cbm ammonia bunkering vessel through its subsidiary, Clean Ammonia Bunkering Shipping, with delivery expected in 2027. The vessel will be time-chartered to Itochu’s bunkering arm, Zeta Bunkering, to pilot ship-to-ship ammonia bunkering operations in Singapore.

The bunker trader plans to commercialise ammonia bunkering in Singapore first, before expanding similar models in Japan, Egypt near the Suez Canal and Spain around the Strait of Gibraltar, it said earlier.

“Through conducting ammonia bunkering demonstrations, it [Itochu] aims to establish safe offshore bunkering operation of ammonia as marine fuel,” MOL said.

By Aparupa Mazumder

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