Japan’s Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) has signed a joint development agreement with trading house Itochu Corporation to carry out the world’s first ship-to-ship ammonia bunkering operations in Singapore.

The project, slated for the second half of 2027, will see MOL deploy its coming fleet of ammonia dual-fuel capesize bulkers while Itochu brings in its 5,000 cu m ammonia bunkering vessel currently under construction in Japan. The partners aim to prove out the technical and safety case for offshore ammonia fuel transfers – a step viewed as essential if ammonia is to take off as a mainstream zero-emission marine fuel.

MOL has already teamed with Belgium’s CMB.TECH on three ammonia-powered capes being built at Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding in China, due for delivery in 2026–2027. Itochu, meanwhile, placed its world-first order for the purpose-built ammonia bunker vessel at Sasaki Shipbuilding earlier this summer, with the ship set to fly the Singapore flag.

Ammonia is emerging as one of the most serious contenders in shipping’s alternative fuel sweepstakes, thanks to its zero carbon emissions at the point of combustion. 

In China last month, Sinobunker, a COSCO subsidiary, completedtheworld’s first green ammonia bunkering operation.

Several other maritime nations and industry players—including Singapore, Norway, and South Korea—have announced feasibility studies or early-stage plans for ammonia bunkering, with many ammonia-ready vessels on the global orderbook.