SINGAPORE, Sept 19 (Reuters) - Japan's Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Norway's Yara, and Singapore's Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation have successfully completed the world's first ship-to-ship ammonia cargo transfer in Australia. This operation is a significant step towards establishing ammonia bunkering as a viable alternative fuel for the shipping industry.
The transfer took place in the Pilbara region, which is anticipated to become a key ammonia bunkering hub due to the existing infrastructure at Dampier port. The trial simulated bunkering conditions and involved two transfers of 4,000 cubic meters of ammonia between a Mitsui O.S.K. Lines gas carrier and another vessel owned by Navigator Gas.
Murali Srinivasan, senior vice president at Yara, emphasized the importance of this operation, stating it is crucial for enabling ammonia bunkering in port environments as the global shipping industry seeks to reduce carbon emissions. The successful transfer marks a pivotal moment for the development of ammonia as a clean fuel source in maritime operations.