The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has authorised Itochu subsidiary ZETA Bunkering to conduct ammonia bunkering trials in Singapore. It is the first approval granted by MPA for an ammonia bunkering operation involving ship-to-ship fuel transfers.
The authorisation follows MPA’s review of safety studies, risk assessments and business plans submitted by ZETA. The approval became effective on 15 May and will remain valid for up to two years, subject to Singapore’s regulatory framework.
The trials will verify the technical readiness, operational procedures, infrastructure and technologies associated with ammonia bunkering, while informing the development of safety and environmental standards.
The trials will be supported by what Itochu describes as the world’s first purpose-built ammonia bunker vessel, ordered in 2025 through its subsidiary Clean Ammonia Bunkering Shipping and currently under construction at Sasaki Shipbuilding in Japan. The vessel has a fuel capacity of approximately 5,000 cubic metres and is scheduled for delivery in Singapore in September 2027.
Demonstration operations are planned for the final quarter of 2027, subject to further regulatory approvals. The bunker vessel will supply ammonia fuel to dual-fuel Capesize bulk carriers jointly owned by CMB.TECH and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines and chartered by MOL.
The vessels form part of a series of ammonia-capable ships being introduced by the two companies. In addition to three ammonia-fitted Newcastlemax bulk carriers jointly owned by CMB.TECH and MOL, CMB.TECH has ordered six chemical tankers for charter to MOL Chemical Tankers, two of which will be delivered ammonia-fitted and four ammonia-ready.
In its press release, Itochu said: ‘The ammonia bunkering trials to be conducted under this Authorisation will serve to verify the technical readiness, operational protocols, infrastructure, and technologies, to assess and inform the development of safe and environmentally sustainable ammonia bunkering practices in Singapore.’
The programme follows earlier ammonia bunkering demonstrations conducted in Singapore, including the fuelling of Fortescue’s Green Pioneer vessel in 2024. Unlike the earlier Green Pioneer demonstration, however, which involved a converted offshore support vessel, the Itochu programme is intended to use a purpose-built ammonia bunker vessel to conduct ship-to-ship fuel transfers to ammonia-fuelled commercial bulk carriers operating under long-term charter arrangements.
