Japanese partners to study ammonia bunkering vessel for Singapore market

Sumitomo Corporation, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (“K” Line) and NYK Bulkship (Asia) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly study the development and ownership of a new ammonia bunkering vessel for deployment in Singapore.

The agreement covers a front-end engineering design (FEED) study and an assessment of ownership structures for the proposed newbuild ammonia bunkering vessel (N-ABV), as part of efforts to support the development of an ammonia fuel supply chain in the region.

Supporting Singapore’s ammonia fuel strategy

The initiative aligns with programmes led by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the Energy Market Authority (EMA), which aim to enable the use of ammonia as a low- or zero-carbon fuel for both power generation and marine bunkering.

In October 2025, MPA and EMA appointed a consortium led by Keppel to advance ammonia-based solutions on Jurong Island. As part of that consortium, Sumitomo Corporation is leading a FEED study to develop a bunkering concept under the Maritime Innovation and Technology (MINT) Fund.

Under the new MoU, the three Japanese companies will collaborate on detailed studies covering vessel design, technical specifications, safety frameworks and operational requirements, as well as commercial and ownership models suited to Singapore’s emerging ammonia bunker market.

Focus on ammonia bunkering infrastructure

Ammonia is being evaluated as a potential zero-carbon marine fuel due to its ability to produce no carbon dioxide at the point of combustion. However, large-scale adoption will depend on the availability of supporting infrastructure, including dedicated bunkering vessels and storage systems.

The proposed ammonia bunkering vessel is intended to form part of this infrastructure, enabling ship-to-ship fuel supply operations in Singapore, one of the world’s largest bunkering hubs.

“K” Line said:

“This collaboration underscores the parties’ shared commitment to enabling the development of a robust ammonia supply chain in Singapore, supporting its emerging role as a global hub for low- or zero-carbon marine fuels.”

The study is expected to provide technical and commercial insights to support future investment decisions related to ammonia bunkering infrastructure in Singapore.