MOL and ITOCHU Collaborate for Ammonia Bunkering Demonstrations

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), a pioneer in operating ammonia-powered vessels, has teamed up with ITOCHU Corporation to advance plans for groundbreaking ammonia bunkering demonstrations. This collaboration comes as the Global Maritime Forum’s Getting to Zero Coalition underscores the challenges facing ammonia as a marine fuel, particularly in the bunkering sector.

While the first vessel bunkered with ammonia took place in Singapore in early 2024 on a trial basis, Japan and China have also conducted similar operations, albeit still in the experimental phase. The Getting to Zero Coalition report notes the absence of ship-to-ship ammonia bunkering, with only a simulated transfer test conducted off Australia nearly a year ago.

Singapore has been leading efforts to establish safety and operational standards for ammonia bunkering, with Norway granting the first safety permits and Rotterdam gearing up for its own bunkering operations. In a bid to accelerate progress in this field, MOL and ITOCHU have agreed to collaborate on ship-to-ship ammonia bunkering demonstrations in Singapore.

ITOCHU, having ordered the world’s first newbuilding 5,000 cbm ammonia bunkering vessel in June 2025, aims to spearhead safe offshore bunkering of ammonia and commercialize the business in key maritime hubs worldwide. To facilitate this, ITOCHU has established Clean Ammonia Bunkering Shipping Pte as a dedicated entity to oversee the development and demonstration of ammonia bunkering operations.

Meanwhile, MOL has announced plans to jointly own three dual-fuel Capesize bulkers with CMB.TECH, to be built by China State Shipbuilding Corporation and chartered by MOL. These vessels, set for delivery between 2026 and 2027, will be the world’s first ammonia dual-fuel Capesize bulkers and will participate in the upcoming bunkering demonstrations alongside ITOCHU’s bunker vessel.

As the industry works towards commercializing ammonia as a marine fuel, the successful demonstration of safe and efficient bunkering practices is crucial. The joint efforts of MOL and ITOCHU in conducting these demonstrations mark a significant step forward in establishing ammonia as a viable and sustainable fuel option for the maritime sector.