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Ammonia

Australia’s NH3 and Japan’s ITOCHU band together for Asia Pacific clean ammonia bunkering ops

MoU outlined collaboration intended to support the development of clean ammonia bunkering operations in the Pilbara region of Western Australia by 2030 and in the Asia Pacific region.
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Australian company NH3 Clean Energy Limited (NH3) on Monday (8 December) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ITOCHU Corporation (ITOCHU) regarding the development of clean ammonia bunkering operations in the Asia Pacific region.

The MoU outlined collaboration over the next two years intended to support the development of clean ammonia bunkering operations in the Pilbara region of Western Australia by 2030 and clean ammonia supply for bunkering operations in the Asia Pacific region developed by ITOCHU.

The objectives of the MoU include aggregating 300,000 TPA of ammonia demand which would be supplied from NH3’s planned WAH2 Project. 

The MoU also aims to examine business models across the supply chain including equity participation and financing and support the Final Investment Decision (FID) for the WAH2 Project targeted for late 2026.

This MoU builds on the collaboration already occurring under the Joint Development Agreement  (JDA) that NH3 signed with Pilbara Ports Authority (Pilbara Ports) and Oceania Marine Energy (Oceania), and the MoU signed with Mitsui O.S.K Lines (MOL) and Oceania. The JDA aims to establish clean ammonia bunkering operations at the Port of Dampier by 2030 to service iron ore bulk carriers and support decarbonisation of the Pilbara-Asia maritime corridor. 

The subsequent MoU with MOL extended collaboration to include MOL, with the intent to develop a single, integrated proposition for clean ammonia-fuelled shipping and bunkering that will provide a compelling case for Australian mining companies to move to clean ammonia-fueled shipping to help decarbonise Australian iron ore exports.

ITOCHU has also been building up its ammonia supply chain and bunkering portfolio. The company has previously signed a shipbuilding contract for the construction of a 5,000 m3 ammonia bunkering vessel, entering a JDA with MOL with the aim of demonstrating ship-to-ship ammonia bunkering in Singapore and entering a JDA with TORAY Industries and Uyeno Transtech to establish an ammonia bunkering hub in Japan. 

NH3’s Chairman Charles Whitfield, said: “ITOCHU have consistently demonstrated their desire to be a leader in the transition of maritime transport to clean ammonia. They have already ordered an ammonia bunkering vessel, plan to undertake the first ship-to-ship ammonia bunkering in Singapore and announced a joint development agreement for ammonia bunkering in Japan. As the region’s leading clean ammonia project NH3 and ITOCHU make ideal partners to develop the huge market potential in the Asia Pacific.”

ITOCHU’s Takeo Akamatsu, said: “NH3 leverages robust partnerships with key Australian stakeholders and brings the concept of a comprehensive clean ammonia supply chain. We are pleased to support the introduction of ammonia bunkering operations at the Pilbara ports, which are renowned for their significant export volumes.”

Related: NH3, Pilbara Ports and Oceania to explore ammonia bunkering operations
Related: ITOCHU and partners to establish ammonia bunkering hub in Japan
Related: MOL and ITOCHU team up on Singapore ammonia bunkering demonstrations
Related: ITOCHU orders world’s first ammonia bunkering vessel for Singapore demonstration project

 

Photo credit: Scott Graham
Published: 9 December, 2025

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Ammonia

EXMAR’s “ANTWERPEN” completes first commercial voyage using ammonia bunker fuel

During its voyage from China to India, the vessel achieved ammonia dual-fuel operation fully in line with our expectations and design, demonstrating that the technology works in commercial service.

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July 21, 2026

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EXMAR’s “ANTWERPEN” completes first commercial voyage using ammonia bunker fuel

Belgian shipowner EXMAR on Monday (20 July) announced the successful completion of gas carrier ANTWERPEN’s first commercial voyage using ammonia as a marine fuel. 

During its voyage from China to India, the vessel achieved ammonia dual-fuel operation fully in line with our expectations and design, demonstrating that the technology works in commercial service. 

“Together with our partners, we continue to fine-tune the systems as we build on this outstanding achievement. We are proud of our crew for their excellent pioneering work,” the company said in a social media post. 

Developed in close collaboration with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, WinGD, Nord Gas Solutions (formerly Wärtsilä Gas Solutions), and Lloyd’s Register, ANTWERPEN is capable of carrying up to 46,000 m³ of ammonia or LPG and trading with close to zero emissions when using low-carbon ammonia fuel. 

The vessel meets and exceeds current IMO emissions reduction targets, reducing greenhouse gases by up to 90% compared to conventional ships.

Manifold Times previously reported ANTWERPEN participated in a pipe-to-ship (PTS) ammonia bunkering operation in Ulsan Port.

The operation was carried out by Lotte Fine Chemical Co Ltd with 600 metric tonnes (mt) of green ammonia (NH3) supplied to ANTWERPEN.

Related: South Korea: Ulsan Port achieves ammonia PTS bunkering milestone

 

Photo credit: EXMAR
Published: 21 July, 2026

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Alternative Fuels

KR, HD Hyundai tap first ammonia dual-fuel sea trial to develop vessel operating standards

Trial generated data on the vessel’s fuel supply system and engine, which will provide a technical foundation for KR’s future development of domestic guidelines for ammonia-fuelled ships.

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July 17, 2026

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KR, HD Hyundai tap first ammonia dual-fuel sea trial to develop vessel operating standards

Korean Register (KR) on Tuesday (14 July) said it is collaborating with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) to establish a domestic operating environment for ammonia-fuelled vessels under the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries’ Green Shipping Corridor Construction Support Project. 

The initiative supports the development of ammonia as one of the most promising next-generation marine fuels.

HHI recently conducted a sea trial of Korea’s first ammonia dual-fuel propulsion vessel. The trial generated operational data on the vessel’s fuel supply system and engine, which will provide a valuable technical foundation for KR’s future development of domestic guidelines for environmentally friendly vessel operations and supporting wider maritime decarbonisation efforts.

A spokesperson for HD Hyundai, said: “Drawing on our group’s R&D capabilities and on-site technical expertise, we have made meaningful progress in advancing the application of ammonia as a marine fuel. We expect this to help enhance a sustainable maritime ecosystem while strengthening the competitiveness of Korea’s shipbuilding industry.”

Kim Daeheon, Executive Vice President of KR’s R&D Division, added: “The close collaboration between KR and HD Hyundai has enabled us to build the technical foundation for introducing ammonia-fueled vessels in Korea. We will continue to drive national projects forward together with HD Hyundai and establish technical standards befitting the era of Green Shipping Corridors.”

 

Photo credit: HD Hyundai Heavy Industries
Published: 17 July, 2026

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Bunker Fuel

Singapore: Bunker fuel sales up by 1.6% on year in June 2026

4.67 million mt of various marine fuel grades were delivered at the world’s largest bunkering port in June, up from 4.59 million mt recorded during the similar month in 2025.
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July 15, 2026

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Sales of marine fuel at Singapore port increased by 1.6% on year in June 2026, according to data from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).

In total, 4.67 million metric tonnes (mt) (exact 4,669,100 mt) of various marine fuel grades were delivered at the world’s largest bunkering port in June, up from 4.59 million mt (4,594,700 mt) recorded during the similar month in 2025.

Deliveries of marine fuel oil, low sulphur fuel oil, ultra low sulphur fuel oil, marine gas oil and marine diesel oil in June (against on year) recorded respectively 2.03 million mt (+19.4% from 1.70 million mt), 2.20 million mt (-4.8% from 2.31 million mt), zero (-100% from 1,900 mt), 1,900 mt (-57.8% from 4,500 mt) and zero (from zero).

Bunker Jun

Bio-blended variants of marine fuel oil, low sulphur fuel oil, ultra low sulphur fuel oil, marine gas oil and marine diesel oil in June, (against on year) recorded respectively 5,300 mt (-86.3% from 38,800 mt), 30,700 mt (-73.1% from 114,300 mt), zero (from zero), zero (from zero) and zero (from zero). B100 biofuel bunkers, introduced in February last year, recorded 1,500 mt (+50% from 1,000 mt). 

LNG and methanol sales were 55,000 mt (-0.72% from 55,400 mt) and zero (from zero) respectively. There were no recorded sales of ammonia for the month and so far since 2025.

 

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 15 July, 2026

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