Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) announced today that it has joined a study with Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) to explore the use of ammonia as an alternative marine fuel. The study aims to create a high-level understanding of the ammonia supply chain and bunkering safety. The results of the study will aid the maritime industry as it transitions to fuels with a lower carbon footprint.

Ammonia is widely viewed as a promising alternative marine fuel for the maritime industry as it has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions significantly. As a bunkering fuel, ammonia presents several opportunities but also several technical challenges. For the study, EPS will be lending its industry-leading expertise in the loading, transporting, and discharging of gas, including ammonia, as a cargo. EPS currently manages one of maritime’s largest independent gas carrier fleets with ten mid to large size gas carriers on water. The company has another twelve mid, large, and very large gas carrier newbuilds set to be delivered between 2022 and 2023. EPS’ deep knowledge and technical capabilities in the gas sector will play an essential role in developing bunkering protocols for ammonia.

EPS’ involvement in the study comes on the heels of the company entering a partnership that will fund a Maritime Decarbonisation Centre in Singapore. EPS also recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with OCI N.V. and MAN Energy Solutions to develop methanol and ammonia as a marine fuel to aid in industry-wide decarbonisation efforts.

Cyril Ducau, CEO of EPS, states, “As a leading tonnage provider, EPS has a responsibility to use whatever means necessary to lower our emissions today. Simultaneously we are committed to sharing our findings, best practices, and technical expertise to develop better solutions for tomorrow. Our participation in the study with NTU Singapore supports our holistic strategy of testing a full spectrum of alternative marine fuels, including ammonia. We look forward to the results and sharing them with the industry.”

Professor Jasmine Lam, Director of the Maritime Energy & Sustainable Development (MESD) Centre of Excellence, NTU Singapore, said, “Our collaboration with EPS leverages NTU’s strength as a global leader in sustainability research and is in line with MESD’s focus on alternative fuel research for the maritime industry. This study comes at a right time with ammonia as a key potential marine fuel. We hope this collaborative effort will contribute to Singapore’s long-term maritime decarbonisation strategy for a more sustainable Maritime Singapore.”

The joint study will cover green ammonia production and supply, ammonia bunkering process, and potential issues arising from adopting ammonia as a marine fuel.