Regional Ammonia: ITOCHU receives approval for ammonia bunkering trials in Singapore

By Romel S. Gurky

Japanese trading company ITOCHU Corporation said last week  Singapore’s Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) has authorized its subsidiary ZETA Bunkering Pte. Ltd. to conduct ammonia bunkering trials in Singapore.

The authorization follows MPA’s review of ZETA’s safety studies, risk assessments, and business plans related to ammonia bunkering operations, according to a statement issued by ITOCHU on Tuesday.

The authorization was issued on April 27 and became effective on May 15 for a trial period of up to two years, subject to Singapore’s regulatory framework.

ITOCHU said the trials will be used to assess the technical readiness, operational procedures, infrastructure, and technologies required for ammonia bunkering operations.

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The company plans to carry out demonstration trials in the fourth quarter of 2027 together with Japanese shipping company Mitsui O.S.K. Lines using an ammonia bunker vessel currently under construction.

The vessel, ordered in June 2025 through ITOCHU subsidiary Clean Ammonia Bunkering Shipping Pte. Ltd., is being built by Sasaki Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. and is expected to be delivered in September 2027.

Under the planned demonstration, ammonia fuel will be supplied from the bunker vessel to dual fuel Capesize bulk carriers jointly owned by Belgium based CMB.TECH NV and MOL, and chartered by MOL, within the Port of Singapore.

ITOCHU said the trials are intended to support the development of operational standards, infrastructure, and emergency response procedures for ammonia bunkering, with a focus on safety and environmental considerations.

The company added that the project forms part of its broader initiative to develop ammonia fueled vessels and establish a global ammonia marine fuel supply chain as the shipping industry seeks lower emission fuel alternatives.

Editing by Alexander Ginting