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BIMCO poll: Tanker industry express growing interest in ammonia as bunker fuel

Over 52% at BIMCO Tanker Safety Network meeting identified ammonia as the most viable fuel pathway by 2040, reflecting growing interest in its zero-carbon potential despite known safety challenges.

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BIMCO RESIZED

International shipping association BIMCO on Tuesday (17 June) said a series of live polls at the 10th BIMCO Tanker Safety Network meeting showed over half of respondents (52%) identified ammonia as the most viable fuel pathway by 2040. 

BIMCO said the result reflected growing interest in its zero-carbon potential despite known safety challenges.

The meeting, held on 12 June, brought together tanker safety professionals and technical experts to assess the risks and realities of operating with alternative fuels. As the sector moves deeper into decarbonisation, ensuring the safe, scalable, and practical use of multiple fuel options is a pressing concern for tanker operators. 

Live poll results captured the pulse of the industry, revealing optimism about fuel options, but also caution about readiness, safety, and regulatory support. 

When asked about top operational concerns, 38% of respondents pointed to bunkering compatibility and 28% to onboard safety risks, signalling that practical implementation remains a critical hurdle. 

Confidence in the safety of alternative fuels was most strongly associated with technological maturity and system reliability, selected by 57% of participants. 

However, readiness levels told a different story: 69% reported being only moderately prepared to handle alternative fuels, with planning underway but full operational capability still developing. A striking 80% of attendees flagged “all of the above” when asked about key training gaps—citing the need for improvements across STCW revisions, safety culture, and design awareness. 

Views on nuclear propulsion were split, with 52% considering it viable but facing acceptance and regulatory barriers. Finally, 56% of respondents identified the lack of guidance on inherently safer ship design as the most pressing regulatory shortfall. 

“This data underscores a shared concern: while decarbonisation is inevitable, the current safety and training ecosystem is not yet fit-for-purpose,” BIMCO said. 

Note: The full insight on BIMCO’s 10th Tanker Safety Network meeting can be read here

 

Photo credit: BIMCO
Published: 20 June, 2025

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Ammonia

Amogy and LOTTE Fine Chemical to explore ammonia bunkering in South Korea

Under a MoU, both will explore supplying ammonia to vessels equipped with Amogy’s Ammonia-to-Power technology, leveraging LFC’s ammonia terminal at Ulsan Port and ship-bunkering capabilities.

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Amogy, LOTTE Fine Chemical to explore ammonia bunkering in South Korea

Ammonia-to-power solutions provider Amogy and LOTTE Fine Chemical Co Ltd (LFC) on Thursday (10 September) announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly advance ammonia-to-hydrogen and ammonia-to-power solutions in South Korea.

Under the MoU, Amogy and LFC will explore collaboration across three priority areas that combine LFC’s ammonia supply and infrastructure capabilities with Amogy’s downstream ammonia cracking and power generation technology.

In hydrogen refuelling infrastructure, LFC would supply green ammonia through its overseas procurement and domestic infrastructure, with Amogy’s ammonia cracking technology converting the ammonia into high-purity hydrogen on-site for use at hydrogen refueling stations. 

For distributed ammonia-to-power generation at commercial and community-scale sites, LFC would provide ammonia supply, storage, and logistics, while Amogy would provide its Ammonia-to-Power generation modules, including fuel cell or internal combustion engine configurations. 

In marine ammonia bunkering, the companies would explore supplying ammonia to vessels equipped with Amogy’s Ammonia-to-Power technology, leveraging LFC’s ammonia terminal at Ulsan Port and ship-bunkering capabilities.

“As Korea continues to build out its clean ammonia and hydrogen infrastructure, partnerships that connect upstream supply with downstream technology are essential to accelerating deployment,” said Seonghoon Woo, CEO of Amogy.

“LOTTE Fine Chemical’s ammonia infrastructure, paired with our ammonia-to-hydrogen and ammonia-to-power technology, gives us a strong foundation to advance hydrogen refuelling, distributed power, and marine applications across the region.”

“LFC has built the infrastructure to import, store, and supply ammonia safely and at scale, including the world’s first ship-bunkering supply of ammonia,” said Suk Min Hwang, Vice President of Ammonia Business Division at LOTTE Fine Chemical. 

“This collaboration with Amogy allows us to extend that infrastructure into new downstream applications, supporting Korea’s transition to a clean ammonia and hydrogen economy.”

LFC has achieved the world’s first commercial import of green ammonia in addition to the world’s first domestic ship-bunkering supply using green ammonia.

Amogy’s proprietary ammonia cracking technology enables the efficient conversion of ammonia into hydrogen, supporting both high-purity hydrogen production and ammonia-to-power generation across stationary, distributed, and marine applications.

Building on the MoU, Amogy and LFC will continue joint evaluation of collaboration opportunities across hydrogen refuelling, distributed power, and marine ammonia bunkering, with further details on project scope and timing to be finalised for execution.

 

Photo credit: Amogy
Published: 11 September, 2026

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Technology

Singapore: MPA working with industry on next phase of digital bunkering, says Deputy CE

‘We are now working with industry on the next phase, trialling capabilities to further strengthen the integrity and quality of bunker data shared between stakeholders and MPA,’ says David Foo.

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MPA’s Deputy Chief Executive (Ops & Tech), Mr David Foo

Editor’s Note [11 September 2026]: Photo has been updated. 

Secure systems, trusted data and reliable digital services are becoming as important to maritime operations as physical infrastructure, said Mr David Foo, Deputy Chief Executive (Operations & Technology), Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), on Thursday (10 September). 

In his opening keynote speech at APPEC 2026 Shipping And Bunker Conference, Foo said OCEANS-X, Digital Bunkering and the Maritime Digital Twin are enabling trusted data sharing, better operational planning and the testing of new digital solutions.

Foo said since 2025, digital bunkering has strengthened the efficiency and transparency of bunker operations. 

“We are now working with industry on the next phase, trialling capabilities to further strengthen the integrity and quality of bunker data shared between stakeholders and MPA.” he said.

He also said MPA is taking a forward-looking approach to the energy transition.

“Over the coming decades, we are likely to see the most diverse marine fuel mix in shipping’s history. There may not be a single fuel of the future.”

“Our role as a global bunkering hub is therefore not to determine which fuel will prevail. Our role is to ensure that whichever fuels the industry adopts, Singapore is ready – with the infrastructure, standards and operational capabilities to support them.”

Foo said MPA is making concrete progress across the major alternative fuel pathways with the issuance of methanol bunkering licences and the commencement of methanol bunkering operations. 

“For ammonia, we are developing the regulatory and operational frameworks needed to support future commercial deployment. We are also facilitating greater use of sustainable biofuels,” he said.

At the same time, MPA continues to expand its LNG bunkering ecosystem, with additional licences issued this year. 

“This will broaden supply options as more LNG-fuelled vessels enter the global fleet. We have also just updated our LNG standards, while maintaining the high standards of safety and reliability that underpin Singapore’s reputation as a trusted bunkering hub,” Foo added.

Related: MPA Chief Executive: Port of Singapore begins digital bunkering initiative today
Related: Singapore: Golden Island, GET, and PetroChina to receive methanol bunkering licences
Related: Singapore: Equatorial Marine Fuel among eight selected for new LNG bunkering licences
Related: Singapore strengthens LNG bunkering framework with new SS 727 standard

 

Photo credit: Swapnil Bapat on Unsplash
Published: 10 September, 2026

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LNG Bunkering

DNV report: LNG bunker fleet may need to more than double by 2030 to meet demand

Global LNG bunker vessel fleet may need to more than double by 2030 as demand from LNG-fuelled ships grows faster than the infrastructure required to supply them, according to DNV white paper.

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DNV report: LNG bunker fleet may need to more than double by 2030 to meet demand

The global LNG bunker vessel fleet may need to more than double by 2030 as demand from LNG-fuelled ships grows faster than the infrastructure required to supply them, according to a new DNV white paper published on Wednesday (9 September). 

The report estimated that between 165 and 208 bunker vessels could be needed globally by the end of this decade.

As LNG-powered shipping continues to grow, demand for bunkering capacity is rising rapidly. Although the LNG bunker fleet is expanding steadily, demand from LNG-fuelled vessels is expected to grow even faster, placing increasing pressure on bunker vessels and the wider bunkering ecosystem. 

Without additional investment across this value chain, fuel supply could become a constraint on further LNG adoption in shipping. DNV’s white paper, Gas bunker vessels: facilitating the transition to alternative fuels, highlights how gas bunker vessels are evolving from specialist fuel delivery assets into critical infrastructure supporting shipping’s fuel transition.

Cristina Saenz de Santa Maria, CEO Maritime at DNV, said: “Shipping’s fuel transition depends on more than ships and fuel choices. It also depends on the infrastructure, supply chains, and operational capabilities needed to make alternative fuels available safely and at scale. As the fuel landscape continues to evolve, investment in flexible, reliable, and future-ready bunkering infrastructure will be essential.”

The white paper examined market developments, regulatory requirements, vessel design considerations, gas bunker vessel technical specialities, and operational best practices, while outlining the role gas bunker vessels will play in supporting both current LNG demand and the future adoption of alternative fuels.

The white paper also highlighted opportunities to accelerate market development through the conversion of suitable small-scale LNG carriers into bunker vessels. 

In addition, it examined the growing importance of operational readiness, structured safety management, and competence development as bunkering operations become more frequent and geographically widespread.

Martin Cartwright, Global Business Director, Gas Carriers & FSRUs at DNV, said: “LNG-fuelled shipping is growing faster than the bunkering network needed to support it. Closing this gap will require coordinated investment across the bunkering ecosystem, underpinned by robust safety standards, operational readiness and competence. These elements must advance together if gas bunkering is to scale safely and reliably, while also supporting future pathways, such as biomethane.”

While the white paper focused primarily on LNG, it also considers the emergence of ammonia as a potential marine fuel. The infrastructure, operational experience, and safety frameworks being developed for LNG bunkering today are expected to play an important role in supporting the future deployment of ammonia bunkering solutions.

Note: The report by DNV can be found here

 

Photo credit: DNV
Published: 10 September, 2026

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