Itochu has received approval from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore to conduct ammonia bunkering trials in Singapore, the Japanese trading house said on Wednesday.
The authorization was given to Itochu's subsidiary, ZETA Bunkering, and took effect from May 15 for a trial period of up to two years.
The company plans to conduct demonstration trials in partnership with Japanese shipowner Mitsui O.S.K. Lines. These trials will involve supplying ammonia fuel from a bunker vessel to dual-fuel Capesize dry bulk carriers at the Singapore port in the fourth quarter of 2027.
Itochu placed an order last June for the vessel, touted as the world's first newbuild ammonia bunker vessel.
The trials are expected to help Itochu establish safe and sustainable ship-to-ship bunkering operations using ammonia as a marine fuel.
