MPA joins ammonia-fueled tanker project

The expanded coalition is now named The Castor Initiative.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), along with fertilizer firm Yara Worldwide ASA, has partaken within the subsequent part of the joint improvement challenge (JDP), which goals to develop the primary ammonia-fueled tanker.

The JDP, which was launched in January 2020, includes companions MISC Berhad (MISC), Lloyd’s Register (LR), Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI), and MAN Power Options (MAN). The expanded coalition is now named The Castor Initiative.

MPA will present expertise as a bunkering hub and flag state to assemble insights on issues of safety and ammonia-bunkering procedures, and to achieve entry to analysis capabilities in Singapore.

In the meantime, Yara will work alongside MISC, LR, SHI, and MAN to develop ammonia propulsion ships to help the maritime trade’s drive to decarbonisation.

“Supporting the enabling role of ammonia in the energy transition, we recognize the need for value chain collaboration to make zero emission shipping by using ammonia as a fuel a reality,” Yara's govt vp Magnus Ankarstrand mentioned.

Their addition to the challenge signifies that “the alliance now has a complete representation from all areas of the maritime ecosystem. The experience and expertise of each partner will be central to the success of the initiative, from conception to project realisation,” he added.

While ammonia is likely one of the fuels being thought-about by maritime stakeholders, the companions additionally recognise that the delivery trade might want to discover a number of decarbonisation pathways and hope their collaboration will spur others within the maritime trade to affix forces on addressing the worldwide problem.

In keeping with MPA chief govt Quah Ley Hoon, decarbonisation stays a key precedence for the maritime sector, not simply in Singapore, however globally.

“As a transshipment and bunkering hub, we are committed to meet IMO2030/2050 decarbonisation goals. We are also looking forward to collaborating with like-minded industry partners to support the development and trials of alternative future marine fuels such as ammonia,” Quah mentioned.