Singapore port announces world’s first successful use of ammonia as a marine fuel

A Fortescue vessel has successfully carried out the world’s first ammonia marine bunker operation in the port of Singapore. The Australian mining company on Friday confirmed the fuel trial along with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).

The Fortescue Green Pioneer was loaded with liquid ammonia from an ammonia facility at Vopak Banyan Terminal, on Jurong Island. Ammonia is one of several alternative fuels shipping operators are exploring to reduce emissions – this trial was executed in combination with diesel in the combustion process onboard the dual-fuelled, Singapore-flagged vessel.

Plotting a course for ammonia progress

Conducted over seven weeks, MPA said the process included testing ammonia storage systems, associated piping, a gas fuel delivery system, retrofitted engines, and seaworthiness. On conclusion, the vessel was given flag approval from the Singapore Registry of Ships and classification society DNV to use ammonia, in combination with diesel, as a marine fuel.

The ship began its journey towards becoming the world’s first ocean-going ammonia-powered vessel in 2022 when Fortescue successfully converted a four-stroke engine to run on ammonia, in combination with diesel, at its land-based testing facility in Perth, Western Australia.

Fortescue first of many in new fuel era

Several dual-fuelled ammonia vessels are currently on order by shipowners, according to MPA. Its Chief Executive, Teo Eng Dih, said: “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.

“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 energy transition.” 

The ammonia trial follows the world’s first ship-to-containership methanol bunkering operation in Singapore in July 2023 and implementation of digital bunkering operations from November 2023.

MPA says the Fortescue success marks a significant milestone in Singapore’s multi-fuel bunkering capability development to support digitalisation, decarbonisation, and manpower development for international shipping. Tests were conducted in phases to ensure safe port operations and safety for crew members and engineers, who completed rigorous training sessions since October 2023.

Dr Andrew Forrest AO, Chairman of Fortescue, said, “Australia and Singapore are nations for whom the seas are our lifeblood and Fortescue has seen firsthand the willingness of Singapore to lead the world in taking brave, innovative action to build green ammonia shipping. The Fortescue Green Pioneer is proof that safe, technical solutions for ammonia power engines exist.”

Existing facility use good news for achieving scale

Five cubic metres (three tonnes) of liquid ammonia used for the trial was supplied by Vopak using existing infrastructure at the 10,000m3 Vopak Banyan Terminal, Jurong Island. A second tranche of three tonnes of liquid ammonia will be loaded for the same ship to conduct further tests and trials over the next few weeks.

The ammonia fuel loading, a first for Vopak, reaffirms the potential for using existing and similar ammonia infrastructure cost-effectively by terminals globally to support the operationalisation, commercialisation and progressive scale-up of ammonia as a marine fuel for international shipping.