Singapore Bunker Barge Operator Hong Lam Works on Ammonia Fuel Delivery Vessel

by Ship & Bunker News Team
Tuesday August 16, 2022

Singapore bunker barge operator Hong Lam Marine has joined a project seeking to develop a delivery vessel for ammonia as a marine fuel.

The company has signed a memorandum of understanding with PaxOcean Engineering and Bureau Veritas to develop the vessel jointly, PaxOcean said in an emailed statement on Tuesday.

Hong Lam will provide operational data, as well as checking the suitability of the vessel design for commercial operations.

"It brings me great pleasure to share that we are adding a new fuel segment into our R&D focus by co-creating ammonia-based vessel solutions with forward-looking and responsible companies like Hong Lam Marine and Bureau Veritas," Tan Thai Yong, CEO of PaxOcean, said in the statement.

"We look forward to a long and fruitful partnership with Hong Lam Marine and Bureau Veritas, founded upon our complementary strengths in a push to accelerate the development of ammonia bunkering in Singapore."

Ammonia is widely expected to take up a significant share of the marine energy mix in future decades as shipping companies seek to eliminate their carbon emissions. But further research and development work will be needed before ammonia can be used safely as a bunker fuel.

Earlier this month the Port of Rotterdam and Singapore's Maritime and Port Authority signed a memorandum of understanding to work together on alternative fuel supply and digitalisation, setting up what they term the world's longest 'green and digital corridor'.