Establishing ammonia import bases in Singapore, South Korea and Japan
By on April 29, 2024
Vopak and Air Liquide: cracking on Jurong Island
Click to learn more. Vopak’s existing terminal on Jurong Island, where it will partner with Air Liquide to develop ammonia import infrastructure. Source: Vopak.
The pair will collaborate to develop infrastructure for ammonia imports, cracking and hydrogen distribution via pipeline, based on Vopak’s existing Banyan terminal on Jurong Island. The collaboration will support Singapore’s National Hydrogen Strategy, which aims to create an economy-wide supply chain for hydrogen. A critical element of this distribution hub will be ammonia cracking, and Air Liquide’s under-development, industrial-scale cracking pilot at the Port of Antwerp in Belgium will provide valuable learnings.
As Singapore gears up for receiving and handling ammonia for power generation and bunkering, cracking of ammonia into hydrogen presents an additional application to help the industry shift to lower carbon feedstock. We are excited about collaborating with Air Liquide to accelerate the adoption and commercialization of industrial ammonia cracking in Singapore.
Rob Boudestijn, President of Vopak Singapore in his organisation’s official press release, 10 Mar 2024
Ulsan Port, South Korea
Ulsan Port Authority and NGO Pacific Environment will cooperate to accelerate the transition of Ulsan into an “eco-friendly” port. The collaboration covers a number of areas: national government policy, supporting Ulsan Port to establish green shipping corridors, an action plan to meet IMO emissions reduction goals, and support for the uptake of electrified and alternative fueled vessels. The pair signed the new agreement at the recent Singapore Maritime Week event.
As the largest bunkering port in the Republic of Korea, we hope to do our part to address climate change and move shipping to a 1.5 degree Celsius future.
Soonyo Jeong, Vice President, Ulsan Port Authority in Pacific Environment’s official press release, 16 Apr 2024
Ulsan Port has been designated as the only green ship fuel supply port in the Republic of Korea, and aims to become an green energy logistics hub. We look forward to supporting the port with strategic policy and planning assistance to support the efforts towards zero-emission shipping and ports.
Shannon Wright, Executive Director, Pacific Environment in her organisation’s official press release, 16 Apr 2024
IHI: Hokkaido and Fukushima
IHI Corporation will coordinate investigations into two new supply and distribution hubs in Japan: Hokkaido in northern far northern Japan, and Fukushima north of Tokyo.
Click to learn more. Location map for future ammonia supply chain facilities near Tomakomai city in Hokkaido, Japan. Source: IHI.
In Hokkaido, IHI will partner with Hokkaido Electric Power, Hokkaido Mitsui Chemicals, Marubeni Corporation, Mitsui & Co., and Tomakomai Futo to study an ammonia supply chain based in Tomakomai city. The announcement notes that the Tomakomai area “has vast land available” for new facilities, particularly large storage tanks. It is also the largest maritime hub in north Japan, with access to key shipping routes. The study partners are also in discussions with a range of potential customers for this supply chain, including Kushiro Power Station and Nippon Beet Sugar Manufacturing.
A similar ammonia import hub will be explored in Fukushima. Japan Petroleum Exploration, Mitsubishi Gas Chemical, Mitsui & Co., and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines will partner with IHI in the joint study, using Soma city as a base location. Target markets for distribution of ammonia and hydrogen include power generation, steel, paper, and chemicals.