MOL completes ammonia STS transfer trial

This trial aimed to simulate ammonia bunkering operations at the Port of Dampier in Australia, a key ammonia production area poised to become a future bunkering hub.

During the trial, two STS transfers of 4,000 cubic metres of ammonia occurred between MOL’s LPG/ammonia carrier Green Pioneer and Navigator Gas’s Navigator Global.

“This trail is a great example of a collaboration between cargo owners, government and port authorities, and ship operators, which will be crucial for the transition to alternative fuels,” said Jotaro Tamura, senior managing executive officer of MOL.

To ensure safe operations, MOL collaborated with Yara Clean Ammonia (YCA), which supplied the ammonia and provided marine experts for technical guidance throughout the trial.

“International shipping account for approximately 3% of the global GHG-emissions and we see clean ammonia as the zero-emission fuel to decarbonise the shipping industry and meet the IMO targets,” commented Murali Srinivasan, senior vice president and commercial head of YCA.

This trial is part of a broader GCMD initiative to explore ammonia as a viable marine fuel, following safety studies conducted in 2023.

“This pilot marks a crucial step towards preparing the ecosystem for the use of ammonia as a marine fuel, paving the way for eventual bunkering when ammonia-fuelled vessels become available,” said Professor Lynn Loo, chief executive at GCMD.

MOL and YCA have been collaborating on decarbonisation efforts since signing a memorandum of understanding in 2022.