Itochu adds new players to maritime fuel study
By on August 04, 2021
In early June, Itochu was part of a group of 23 founding signatories that kicked off a joint study into the feasibility of ammonia as a maritime fuel. This week they announced the group has now grown to 34 members. The group includes significant stakeholders from a diverse range of sectors: energy, mining, steel, power utility, chemicals manufacturing & distribution, shipbuilding, maritime terminals, maritime classification societies and of course maritime fuel production, supply & distribution. Major ammonia producers CF Industries, Yara and Nutrien have also had input in the early stages (though they are not signatories).
The feasibility study will focus on four key areas:
(1) Safety assessment of NH3 fuel ship under guideline,
Itochu press release for the kick-off of the joint study framework, 11 June 2021
(2) Safety assessment of NH3 bunkering,
(3) NH3 fuel specification, and
(4) NET CO2 emission at NH3 production.
The joint study framework will also act as a stepping stone towards the deployment of commercial technologies:
an integrated project involving ITOCHU and its partner companies working to develop ships using ammonia fuels and establish a global ammonia supply chain.
Itochu press release announcing new partners for the joint study, 29 July 2021
Singapore fuel study
Itochu and Vopak are also engaged in a joint effort to study & deploy ammonia fuel solutions at Vopak’s Banyan terminal in Singapore. In May this year three new partners for this effort were announced: global energy giant TotalEnergies, shipping line Mitsui O.S.K. and LNG trader Pavilion Energy.