Industry leaders, including Sumitomo Corporation, American Bureau of Shipping, CALAMCO, and TOTE Services, along with Fleet Management Limited, have executed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to conduct a feasibility study.
The aim is to establish a clean ammonia supply chain for ship-to-ship bunkering in the US West Coast, focusing initially at the ports of Oakland, Benicia, and other key locations.
Ammonia, a promising alternative marine fuel, emits no CO2 upon combustion. This is in line with the International Maritime Organization’s revised strategy to achieve net-zero emissions from international shipping by 2050.
The consortium will use CALAMCO’s existing ammonia storage terminal at the Port of Stockton for a pilot demonstration project. Initial adoption of ammonia as a marine fuel will be at the ports of Benicia, a key location for vehicle handling, and Oakland, among the top ten largest US container ports.
Safety assessments for ammonia usage as marine fuel are crucial due to its toxicity. The consortium intends to collaborate with relevant US agencies and experts to standardize safe operations and regulations.
American Bureau of Shipping will share its industry-leading expertise in ammonia as marine fuel. They will also develop safety measures to address ammonia-specific safety challenges.
With one of the few ammonia storage and handling facilities in the region, CALAMCO is in prime position to meet the growing needs of the maritime industry. They will support exploration of ammonia bunkering on the US West Coast.
Fleet Management Limited is committed to supporting their clients’ green transition and contributing to the broader decarbonization efforts in the maritime industry. They will leverage their technical expertise and focus on dual fuel vessels and safe ammonia bunkering.
Sumitomo Corporation has ambitions to create the first ship-to-ship ammonia bunkering base on the US West Coast. Their commitment stands to reduce the emissions footprint from maritime transport.
TOTE Services aims to maintain its commitment to environmental responsibility and innovations. Having delivered the world’s first LNG-powered container ships in 2015, they are now set to lead the maritime industry’s use of alternative fuels.
