A three-party Japanese partnership is looking to study and explore the ownership of a newbuild ammonia bunkering vessel for application in Singapore.

It has been reported on March 17 that Sumitomo Corporation, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (“K” Line), and NYK Bulkship (Asia) (NYK Line) have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly conduct a front-end engineering design (FEED) study and explore the ownership of the newbuild ammonia bunkering vessel (N-ABV).

This MoU is in support of the ammonia value chain development initiative led by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and Singapore’s Energy Market Authority (EMA), which aims to facilitate the adoption of low- or zero-carbon ammonia for both power generation and marine fuel applications, strengthening Singapore’s energy transition strategy and advancing maritime decarbonization efforts.

In October 2025, MPA and EMA appointed a consortium led by Keppel to conduct the next phase of the project to provide a low- or zero-carbon ammonia solution on Jurong Island for power generation and bunkering. As a member of the consortium and sole recipient of the Research and Innovation grant by MPA under the Maritime Innovation and Technology Fund (MINT Fund), Sumitomo Corporation will lead a FEED study to advance its bunkering proposal, laying the technical and commercial groundwork for eventual implementation.

Sumitomo Corporation, “K” LINE, and NYK Line will now work together to advance detailed studies covering the vessel’s basic design, technical specifications, safety and operational requirements, as well as the structuring and ownership model tailored to the Singapore ammonia bunker market.

“This collaboration underscores the parties’ shared commitment to enabling the development of a robust ammonia supply chain in Singapore, supporting its emerging role as a global hub for low- or zero-carbon marine fuels,” said “K” Line.