Tokyo-based Itochu Corporation has recently established a joint study framework of 23 companies and organisations with the objective of collaboratively discussing common issues in pursuit of the utilisation of ammonia as an alternative marine fuel.
Recently, 11 companies and organizations have joined this joint study framework, expanding it to a total of 34 companies and organizations.
The 11 companies and organizations include Anglo Eastern Ship Management; BHP; Bureau Veritas; CMA CGM; INPEX; JFE Steel; Lloyd’s Register; Maersk; Navios Group; Rio Tinto; and Vitol Asia. This expansion is an indicator of the high level of interest in the utilisation of ammonia as an alternative maritime fuel.
In 2021, the Joint Study Framework will discuss common issues including:
The discussion has included collaborators from CF Industries, Nutrien and Yara, major ammonia producers. Going forward, the Joint Study Framework will seek to share opinions, view, expertise, and experience with other ammonia producers, related international organisations, port authorities and regulators in potential bunkering countries.
The aim of the Joint Study Framework is to verify and organize common issues regarding the use of ammonia as a maritime fuel, which is a new challenge for maritime stakeholders.
Also, this is a step toward advancing an integrated project involving Itochu and its partner companies working to develop ships using ammonia fuels and establish a global ammonia supply chain.
For its part, Itochu will accelerate the development of sustainable energy systems through these initiatives and ensure its contributions to the SDGs and improvement of related efforts, one of the basic policies laid out in its new medium-term management plan, as the company pursues a low-carbon society.
Participating Members of the joint industry study are:
ABS, ANGLO AMERICAN, ANGLO EASTERN, BHP, BUREAU VERITAS, CLASSNK, CMA CGM, DNV, EQUINOR, FORTESCUE FUTURE INDUSTRIES, GENCO SHIPPING & TRADING, INPEX, JERA, JFE STEEL, K-LINE, LLOYD’S REGISTER, MAERSK, MAN ENERGY SOLUTIONS, MITSUI E&S MACHINERY, NAVIOS GROUP, NIHON SHIPYARD, NS UNITED, PAVILION ENERGY, RIO TINTO, TOTALENERGIES, TRAFIGURA, UBE INDUSTRIES, UNIPER SE, UYENO TRANSTECH, VALE, VITOL ASIA, VOPAK TERMINAL SINGAPORE, ITOCHU ENEX, and ITOCHU.
Photo credit: Bureau Veritas
Published: 2 August, 2021
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