MPA says transfer of ammonia in Singapore waters before end-2023 unrealistic

REPORTS which gave the timeline for ship-to-ship ammonia transfer before the end of the year are “not realistic”, said the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) in a statement on Monday (May 1).

This was in response to remarks by Lynn Loo, chief executive of Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation, an MPA entity, which said that the first transfer of ammonia was targeted to occur by end-2023 subject to regulatory approval.

The MPA said that this view does not represent the assessment by the authority and other government agencies.

The MPA and the Energy Market Authority of Singapore (EMA) launched an expression of interest (EOI) in December 2022 to build, own and operate low or zero-carbon hydrogen and ammonia bunkering solutions. The closing date for the EOI was on Apr 30 this year, and the MPA and EMA will review the proposals received.

“The timeline before end-2023 is not realistic and should not prejudge the outcomes of the EOI, as well as further assessments and standards development by MPA and the relevant agencies,” said the MPA in its statement.

Citing reports and studies on ammonia as a marine fuel, the port authority said that the risks involved will have to be further studied. Mitigation and response measures will also require further development.

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Any pilot or trial with bunkering new and low-emission fuels will require comprehensive preparations, which includes developing new safety procedures and bunkering standards. The MPA said that risk assessments, safety audits, emergency procedures and training and equipping crews and ships involved are also necessary.

“We remain open to the use of different alternative fuels which can reduce the maritime industry’s carbon emissions,” said the MPA.