IHI Corporation and Royal Vopak to Establish Ammonia Terminal in Japan

Japanese engineering corporation IHI Corporation (IHI) and Dutch tank storage company Royal Vopak (Vopak) have signed a joint development agreement to establish a new joint venture for the development and operation of an ammonia terminal in Japan.

With the aim of starting operations in the Japanese fiscal year 2030, IHI and Vopak plan to focus on developing safe and efficient ammonia storage and handling infrastructure in Japan, in line with the country’s domestic infrastructure development progress.

The primary objective of the ammonia terminal development is to enable the receiving, storing, and supply of imported ammonia within Japan, which is expected to play a significant role in the country’s decarbonization goals as a fuel and raw material for power generation and various industrial uses.

Vopak, leveraging its expertise in ammonia terminal engineering and operation, will collaborate with IHI Group, Japan’s leading ammonia storage tank manufacturer, to establish an ammonia value chain focusing on clean ammonia and promoting its various uses in the country.

Moreover, the partnership between IHI and Vopak aims to establish an ammonia distribution system by utilizing the terminal as a hub for marine transportation, further enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of ammonia supply chain in Japan.

“By fully leveraging the combined expertise and advanced technologies of both companies, we aim to contribute to Japan’s energy transition and the realization of a sustainable society through the establishment of safe and efficient ammonia infrastructure,” commented Kensuke Yamamoto, Executive Officer at IHI Corporation.

“Vopak’s global growth strategy includes industrial and gas infrastructure needed for the energy transition. Currently, Vopak has six ammonia storage locations within its global network,” added Lars Schaumann, Managing Director at Vopak Japan.

In November 2023, IHI and Vopak signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly explore the development and operation of ammonia terminals in Japan, with potential plans for expansion to other regions.