Danish shipping giant A.P. Moller-Maersk is collaborating with industry leaders to assess the feasibility of establishing a green ammonia bunkering supply chain in Singapore, the world’s busiest bunkering port. The initiative is part of broader efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the shipping sector and align with the International Maritime Organization’s decarbonization targets.
The consortium includes Fleet Management Limited, Keppel Offshore & Marine, the Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping, Sumitomo Corporation, and Yara International. The project aims to develop an end-to-end supply chain for ammonia bunkering, including the production of cost-effective green ammonia, the design of ammonia bunkering vessels, and the establishment of supporting infrastructure. The study will also examine potential synergies with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), given their similar storage requirements.
Morten Bo Christiansen, Maersk’s Vice President and Head of Decarbonisation, stated that green ammonia is an important future fuel for the company’s fleet, alongside methanol. However, he also acknowledged challenges, including the development of dual-fuel ammonia engines and the need to address supply, infrastructure, and safety concerns associated with ammonia bunkering operations.
The consortium will work with Singaporean government agencies and industry experts to develop standardized safety procedures and regulatory frameworks for ammonia bunkering. Singapore’s position as a global maritime hub is expected to play a key role in advancing the study and potential implementation of ammonia as a marine fuel.
As the feasibility study progresses, industry stakeholders will continue to assess the viability of ammonia bunkering as part of Singapore’s maritime fuel transition strategy.
