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Singapore: Consort Bunkers and partners to develop ammonia bunkering tanker

Consort Bunkers, ClassNK, Daihatsu Diesel, Daikai Engineering, and SeaTech Solutions International signed a MoU concerning a joint study on an ammonia-fuelled ammonia bunkering tanker.

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Singapore-based bunker supplier and logistics services provider Consort Bunkers Pte Ltd and four other organisations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop an ammonia-fuelled ammonia bunkering tanker, according to classification society ClassNK on Friday (8 September). 

Consort Bunkers, ClassNK, Daihatsu Diesel Mfg. Co.,Ltd., Daikai Engineering Pte. Ltd., and SeaTech Solutions International (S) Pte Ltd. agreed to jointly study the concept design of the tanker to achieve an approval in principle (AiP) from ClassNK.

The MoU was signed by representatives of all five parties in the presence of an official from Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) at Gastech 2023 held in Singapore.

Daihatsu Diesel develops alternative fuel engines including for ammonia, Daikai Engineering provides sales of machinery and marine equipment and after-sales service in the Southeast Asian region and SeaTech Solutions International designs ships equipped with alternative fuel engines.

Hayato Suga, Executive Vice President, ClassNK, said: “It is our great pleasure to work together with prominent partners to fill in the pieces for advancing decarbonization of shipping. ClassNK will strive to fulfil its role, reviewing the safety and integrity of the developed design in accordance with our rules related to ammonia transport and its use as fuel, and hope to materialise the outcome as our AiP.”

Yeo Siok Keak, Director/General Manager, Consort Bunkers, said, “We are much honoured to be part of this collaboration with the various esteemed partners on the development of ammonia bunkering. Consort is looking forward to rendering full support in the collaborative study for concept design and AiP initiative towards the realisation of decarbonized shipping.”

Yoichi Hayata, Director, Technical Management Division, Daihatsu Diesel Mfg. said: “Recently, there has been an urgent need to reduce GHG emissions from ships, and the use of ammonia as a zero-carbon fuel has been attracting attention, however, there are issues with combustibility and safety. We have already conducted basic tests on ammonia, and have obtained knowledge on combustion characteristics, trends in exhaust gas emissions, precautions for handling, etc. Utilising this knowledge, we will join forces with MOU member companies and contribute to the cooperation in acquiring ammonia bunkering vessel AiP and the development of GHG reduction technology.”

Mikio Kaneda, Managing Director, Daikai Engineering, said: “We are both honoured and excited to be part of this collaborative venture. The maritime industry stands at the cusp of a transformative era, and our joint effort to develop an ammonia-fueled vessel embodies our collective commitment to sustainable innovation. Together, we are not just envisioning a greener future; we are actively working to make it a reality.”

Govinder Singh Chopra, Managing Director, SeaTech Solutions International, said: “SeaTech is committed to the MPA initiative for the Net Zero decarbonisation of Singapore Harbour Vessels. I am looking forward to embarking on this new chapter of sustainable innovation with Consort Bunkers, ClassNK, Daihatsu Diesel and Daikai. We have formalised our commitment with the signing of this MOU for the AiP of the ammonia bunkering vessel design, gearing up the Singapore bunker industry for safe ammonia bunkering. Together, we are paving the way for a greener, safer, and more efficient maritime sector.”

Capt M Segar, Assistant Chief Executive (Operations), Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, said: “MPA welcomes studies, pilots, and collaborations that contribute to the maritime sector’s decarbonisation efforts. Joint studies such as the one under this MOU, are useful in bringing together the collective expertise and experience of various leading stakeholders to deepen the industry’s knowledge and confidence in handling the new future fuels, and to accelerate the development of future fuel solutions to meet the revised IMO GHG emission ambitions for international shipping.”

Photo credit: ClassNK
Published: 12 September, 2023

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Newbuilding

Singapore: Pinnacle Marine’s first B100 fuelled utility boat starts 1,000-hour research trial

Newbuilding operated by Prestige Ocean Pte Ltd will capture data on bunker fuel emissions, marine fuel behaviour, and performance.

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The 50th vessel constructed by local boat builder Pinnacle Marine (Singapore) Pte Ltd, namely President 100, is starting 1,000 hours of real-time research trials in collaboration with several parties from Wednesday (9 July) onwards, it says.

Powered by B100 biodiesel, the newbuilding operated by Prestige Ocean Pte Ltd will capture data on bunker fuel emissions, marine fuel behaviour, and performance.

It will be participating in trials with Maritime Energy & Sustainable Development Centre of Excellence (MESD), Weichai Singapore, China Classification Society, Pacific International Lines (PTE) Ltd, Abo Shoten, Ltd. / 株式会社安保商店 , Abo Singapore, Wilmar International, Gulf Marine, Amspec Testing & Services, and AYK Engineering and Consulting.

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The President 100, Pinnacle Marine’s first full biodiesel utility boat, was launched on Tuesday in the presence of over 100 guests.

“Our latest vessel, President 100, merges legacy and future. Named after our first aluminium boat (“President”) and inspired by B100 biodiesel, it leads the charge for our next 50 vessels — many of which will embrace green technology,” stated Pinnacle Marine in a LinkedIn post.

“The launch was amazing, with strong turnout from across the maritime sector — authorities, shipowners, operators, agencies, chandlers, researchers, offshore engineers, and petrochemical suppliers.”

It added: “We’re excited to see how it paves the way for wider adoption of B100 biodiesel — a cleaner, sustainable path for Singapore’s harbour craft sector.”

 

Photo credit: Pinnacle Marine (Singapore) Pte Ltd
Published: 9 July 2025

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Newbuilding

BHP awards charter contracts for two ammonia dual-fuelled bulk carriers

BHP continues to work with the maritime industry to develop an ammonia bunkering plan for the two vessels when they are delivered from 2028.

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Global resources company BHP on Wednesday (2 July) signed contracts with COSCO Shipping Bulk Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of COSCO shipping Group (COSCO Shipping) for the charter of two ammonia dual-fuelled Newcastlemax bulk carriers.

The new vessels to be built under this arrangement will be two of only a handful of vessels in the world capable of using ammonia as a bunker fuel.

The two vessels, expected to be delivered from 2028, will primarily transport iron ore from Western Australia to Northeast Asia.

When run on lower or low to zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions ammonia, these vessels will be capable of reducing GHG emissions by at least 50% and up to 95% on a per voyage basis compared to a conventionally fuelled voyage.

The five-year time charter contracts are expected to contribute towards a reduction in the GHG emissions intensity of BHP chartered shipping.

BHP continues to work with the maritime industry to develop an ammonia bunkering plan – the process of fuelling ships with ammonia – for the two vessels when they are delivered from 2028.

Sourcing lower and low to zero GHG emissions ammonia is subject to an ongoing tender process.

 

Photo credit: BHP
Published: 9 July 2025

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Newbuilding

James Fisher: First of four LNG dual-fuel tankers begins construction at Chinese shipyard

Keel was laid for “Orca Fisher”, the first of four vessels in the Sealife class, at China Merchants Industry Yangzhou Dingheng Shipyard in late May; new vessels are expected to join the fleet from early 2026.

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James Fisher: First of four LNG dual-fuel tankers begins construction at Chinese shipyard

Shipowner and marine engineering solutions provider James Fisher and Sons (James Fisher) on Thursday (3 July) said it has marked a major construction milestone in the build of its LNG dual-fuel chemical tankers at the China Merchants Industry Yangzhou Dingheng Shipyard (YZDH).  

The company said the keel was laid for Orca Fisher, the first of four vessels in the Sealife class, in late May. 

The vessels were introduced as part of James Fisher’s Fleet of the Future, a long-term programme to modernise its tankships fleet with more efficient, lower-carbon vessels that support the use of alternative fuel propulsion. 

The new fleet – which include Orca Fisher, Narwhal Fisher, Tiger Fisher and Dolphin Fisher – are scheduled to join the fleet from early 2026, fulfilling the long-term demand for mid-sized ships in North-West Europe coastal shipping markets.  

Michael Arkley, Product Line Director (Tankships) at James Fisher, said: “This milestone marks more than the start of a hull – it’s a continuation of our ongoing and unwavering commitment to decarbonise the fleet and strengthen operational performance for our customers. It also reflects the depth of collaboration and trust we’ve built with YZDH, Bureau Veritas, Alpha Marine and other key partners across two successful newbuild programmes to date.”

The latest programme follows the successful delivery of Sir John Fisher and Lady Maria Fisher in 2023. Together, the vessels represent a third of James Fisher’s fleet and a multi-year partnership with YZDH, now responsible for constructing six of its ships.  

Manifold Times previously reported James Fisher ordering four new LNG dual fuel tankers from China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Yangzhou) Dingheng.

Related: James Fisher orders LNG dual-fuel tanker quartet from Chinese shipyard

 

Photo credit: James Fisher and Sons
Published: 4 July, 2025

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