TOKYO (Reuters) -Japanese trading house Sumitomo Corp said on Monday it has been awarded a Singapore government grant to develop ammonia as an alternative marine fuel to help decarbonise the shipping industry.
This exclusive funding will support research & development efforts aimed at enhancing the safety and efficiency of supplying ammonia, or ammonia bunkering, at the Port of Singapore, Sumitomo said in a statement.
It did not disclose the terms of the grant that was awarded by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) under the Maritime Innovation and Technology Fund (MINT Fund).
MPA did not immediately respond to a Reuters’ request for comment.
Ammonia is among several alternative fuels that shippers and power companies are exploring to reduce emissions, but it currently faces cost challenges.
Sumitomo plans to conduct a demonstration of ammonia bunkering in Singapore in 2027 and will work with the MPA to develop safety protocols, operational guidelines, and emergency response measures.
Separately, a consortium led by Keppel Ltd, comprising Keppel, Sumitomo and Advario Asia Pacific, has been selected by Singapore’s Energy Market Authority (EMA) and the MPA to advance to the next phase of a project to study the end-to-end low- or zero-carbon ammonia solutions on Jurong Island for power generation and bunkering.
Sumitomo said these efforts will contribute to decarbonising the shipping industry, while supporting its broader commitment to energy transformation, a key growth area for the company.
(Reporting by Yuka Obayashi; Editing by Harikrishnan Nair)
