Bunkering and Testing of Ammonia as Marine Fuel Successfully Concluded in Singapore

The world’s first bunkering of ammonia and tests of adapted engines took place in Singapore on an offshore supply vessel retrofitted by Australia’s Fortescue Group. The testing, which is ongoing, aims to develop safety and management information that could potentially make ammonia a leading marine fuel in the future. The vessel used for the tests, Fortescue Green Pioneer, was originally built in Indonesia in 2010 and acquired by Fortescue Future Industries in 2022.

The conversion of a four-stroke engine to run on ammonia in combination with diesel as a pilot fuel began in 2022 at Fortescue’s facility in Perth, Australia. The vessel’s engines were modified to use ammonia, with the necessary infrastructure and safety systems installed at Seatrium’s Benoi yard in July 2023. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, along with partners like DNV and Vopak, conducted workshops to study hazards, safety protocols, and training for handling ammonia.

The first bunkering involved three tonnes of liquid ammonia loaded from Vopak’s Banyan Terminal on Jurong Island, with extensive safety checks and tests conducted before fueling. The fuel trial, conducted over seven weeks, included testing the vessel’s storage systems, piping, and retrofitted engines. Further tests and trials are planned as the validation process continues, with a second bunkering of liquid ammonia scheduled for the near future.

Source .