First Bunkering and Tests of Ammonia as Marine Fuel Completed in Singapore

In what may be a pivotal moment in the future of alternative marine fuels, the world’s first bunkering of ammonia and tests of adapted engines took place in Singapore aboard an offshore supply vessel retrofitted by Australia’s Fortescue Group.

The testing is ongoing helping to develop the information on safety and management that might one day see ammonia become one of the leading marine fuels.

 “The safe conduct of this fuel trial supports the holistic assessment of the use of ammonia as a marine fuel, and the development of standards and safety procedures,” said Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive of the MPA. “This will inform the crew training, emergency, and bunkering procedures which MPA, agencies, and the tripartite community are developing in support of making available safe and cost-efficient solutions as MaritimeSG and the international shipping community undergo the energy transition.”

The first bunkering involved three tonnes of liquid ammonia loaded from Vopak’s Banyan Terminal on Jurong Island in Singapore. According to the MPA, as part of the risk management, extensive pre-operations, safety checks, and tests were conducted. They highlight that the fueling was completed with the existing infrastructure demonstrating the industry’s ability to adapt to ammonia as a marine fuel in the future.

The fuel trial was conducted over a period of seven weeks. It included rigorous testing of the vessel’s storage systems for ammonia, as well as the associated piping, gas fuel delivery system, retrofitted engines, and the overall seaworthiness of the Fortescue Green Pioneer. The vessel is registered in Singapore and earned a gas fuel ammonia notation.

The testing and demonstrations are ongoing. A second bunkering of a further three tonnes of liquid ammonia will be loaded for the Fortescue Green Pioneer in the next few weeks.  Further tests and trials are planned as the validation process continues.