Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) participated in the successful ammonia STS trial led by the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD).
In the absence of ammonia bunkering infrastructure, ship-to-ship (STS) transfers provide a close approximation of the bunkering process by replicating its essential steps.
“Translating the recommendations from our 2023 safety study into action through this pair of STS transfers demonstrates the essence of GCMD – operationalising pilots and trials to accelerate maritime decarbonisation,” stated Professor Lynn Loo, CEO of GCMD.
With this goal in mind, a trial was conducted to simulate bunkering operations at the Port of Dampier, located in Australia’s Pilbara region, a notable ammonia production area. This port is anticipated to become a major ammonia bunkering hub soon due to its existing experience with ammonia export.
“International shipping accounts for approximately 3% of the global GHG emissions and we see clean ammonia as the zero-emission fuel to decarbonize the shipping industry and meet the IMO targets. For more than a century we have been producing and shipping ammonia with the highest safety standards and with efficient ammonia operations,” commented Murali Srinivasan, Senior Vice President and Commercial Head of Yara Clean Ammonia (YCA).
During the trial, two STS transfers of 4,000 cubic meters of ammonia were carried out between MOL’s LPG/Ammonia carrier “Green Pioneer” and the “Navigator Global,” owned by Navigator Gas.
Before the trial, MOL, in partnership with YCA—the Green Pioneer’s charterer and the supplier of the ammonia used—provided marine experts to offer technical guidance as an Impact partner of GCMD. Additionally, MOL engaged in extensive discussions with GCMD, YCA, and other stakeholders, including safety consultants, STS service providers, ports, and Australian Government agencies, to ensure the safe execution of the STS transfers.
MOL and Yara Clean Ammonia have been collaborating since 2022 under a memorandum of understanding focused on decarbonization projects, including ammonia. The success of this trial is a result of their close collaboration in line with this agreement.
These STS transfer trials were part of a GCMD-led initiative aimed at enabling ammonia as a marine fuel. The consortium conducted risk and safety studies and developed emergency response procedures based on findings and recommendations from GCMD’s 2023 safety study on ammonia bunkering and its future operational plans.
“As one of the major shipping companies operating about 880 vessels, we are very proud to be part of this Ammonia STS trial which will bring significant progress in the Ammonia Bunkering. This will be a great example of a collaboration between cargo owners, government and port authorities, and ship operators, which will be crucial for the transition to alternative fuels. We appreciate the collaborative organizing and planning by GCMD and Yara Group as well as the partners involved for the success of this trial,” added Jotaro Tamura, Senior Managing Executive Officer of MOL.
