SINGAPORE, Sept 19 (Askume) – Japan’s Mitsui Lines, Norway’s Yara Line and Singapore’s Global Maritime Decarbonisation Centre have jointly completed an ammonia cargo transshipment operation in Australia, paving the way for ammonia bunkering in the region.
Ammonia is one of several alternative fuels that shipping companies are exploring to reduce carbon emissions, although their bunkering infrastructure is still in the early stages of development.
Mitsui Merchant Line Co Ltd (9104.T) said in a statement that the Pilbara region in northwest Australia is expected to become an ammonia bunkering hub in the future as the port of Dampier has experience in exporting ammonia.
The tests, designed to simulate bunkering conditions at the ammonia-producing port of Dampier, mark the world’s first ammonia ship-to-ship transfer of vessels at anchorage, the companies said this week.
“As the global shipping industry moves toward the efficient use of clean ammonia as a fuel, ship-to-ship ammonia transfer is an important learning step in enabling ammonia bunkering operations in port environments,” said Murali Srinivasan, senior vice president of commercial at Yara ( YAR.OL .
During the trial, two ship-to-ship transfers were conducted between a gas carrier owned by Mitsui OSK Lines and another gas carrier owned by Navigator Gas, transporting 4,000 cubic metres.
The transfer is led by the Global Maritime Decarbonisation Centre, which is conducting tests and research into alternative fuels for refuelling ships.
