A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed between PaxOcean Engineering, Singapore-based bunker vessel operator Hong Lam Marine and classification society Bureau Veritas (BV) for the development of an ammonia bunker vessel design.
PaxOcean will leverage its technological capabilities to develop the designs for ammonia-fueled and ammonia bunkering vessels, while Bureau Veritas verifies compliance with the applicable rules and regulations, specifically those relating to the handling of ammonia.
Hong Lam Marine will provide input specific to operational data, in addition to supporting and validating the suitability of the ship design for commercial operations. The group hopes the MoU will support the use of green ammonia as a sustainable fuel to aid in the decarbonization of the marine industry.
“As a major bunkering hub, this forward-looking collaboration aligns with our maritime decarbonization efforts to be ready for a multi-fuel bunkering transition to support the future of international shipping,” said Quah Ley Hoon, chief executive of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.
“It brings me great pleasure to share that we are adding a new fuel segment into our R&D focus by co-creating ammonia-based vessel solutions with forward looking and responsible companies like Hong Lam Marine and Bureau Veritas,” said Tan Thai Yong, chief executive officer, PaxOcean.
“We are pleased to be participating in the project in partnership with highly respected establishments and experts in the era of decarbonization and sustainability in the Singapore marine fuel industry and beyond,” added Caroline Yang, chief executive of Hong Lam Marine. “Together, we look forward to contributing to the development and design of the ammonia bunker vessel as we focus on our long-term social and environmental responsibilities.”
“Ammonia has great potential as a zero-carbon marine fuel and can play a significant role to help shipping reach its decarbonization goals, but to fulfil this potential, more work is needed to overcome the safety and operational challenges,” commented David Barrow, vice president, South Asia Zone of Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore.
“These challenges can be overcome through cross-industry collaboration, and we are very pleased to be working with PaxOcean and Hong Lam Marine to develop an ammonia bunker vessel design that de-risks ammonia as a marine fuel.”
