In Japan, on August 19, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines and Itochu Corporation signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly conduct ship-to-ship ammonia bunkering trials. The companies plan to use their own vessels for at-sea fueling demonstrations off Singapore, aiming to begin tests in the second half of 2027.
The agreement follows Itochu’s June order of a 5,000-cubic-meter ammonia bunkering vessel, now under construction at Sasaki Shipbuilding. MOL, meanwhile, will charter three Cape-size ammonia dual-fuel bulk carriers, scheduled for delivery from Qingdao’s Beihai Shipbuilding between 2026 and 2027. Both firms are preparing hardware for an ammonia fueling chain that could serve key traffic lanes.
Regulatory signals support the move. In April, the IMO approved amendments to its GHG reduction framework, creating phased incentives for zero-emission fuels. Ammonia, which emits no CO₂ when used as fuel, figures prominently among candidates. The last-mile role of bunkering ships has drawn attention as port infrastructure lags behind newbuild orders.
MOL’s latest partnership sits within its Environment and Innovation priorities under its “Environmental Vision 2.2” roadmap. With the Cape runs planned and Itochu’s tanker taking shape, the companies are setting their sights on a first-to-market advantage as ammonia’s moment approaches.
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Category: Sustainable Marine Fuels
