The Singapore port is unlikely to be ready for ammonia bunkering by the end of this year, according to Singapore's Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) on 1 May.
This came after the Singapore-based Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) said on 27 April that the port could see its first ammonia bunkering transfer before the end of 2023.
MPA said pilots and trials involving the bunkering of new low- and zero-emission fuels require comprehensive preparations. This includes the development of new standards, various assessments, safety audits, development of 24/7 operational models, emergency procedures, training and equipping ships' crews, among others.
The MPA pushed back against the view that ammonia-related pilot risks in the port of Singapore were found to be low or mitigable in three identified sites, and it stressed that further assessments and standard developments by MPA and other relevant agencies are required.
Ammonia is considered as an alternative, low-carbon bunkering fuel by the shipping industry, but its high cost and toxicity as well as limited supply is likely to limit its short-term appeal.
