Mitsubishi & Mitsui O.S.K. complete ammonia bunkering study

Floating Storage and Regasification Units (FSRU)

This week Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (via subsidiary Mitsubishi Shipbuilding) & Mitsui O.S.K. Lines completed a joint study on the use of floating storage and regasification units (FSRU) for ammonia bunkering.

Ammonia FSRU is a floating facility for receiving and storing ammonia which is transported in a liquid state from its production area, and the stored ammonia is then heated and regasified onboard for transfer to an onshore pipeline. Ammonia FSRU can be constructed at a lower cost and in a shorter time than onshore ammonia storage and regasification plants. At a time when global interest in usage of ammonia is increasing, the application of Ammonia FSRU in place of onshore storage and regasification plants is expected to contribute to earlier and stable supply of ammonia fuel.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ press release, 3 Feb 2022

Power generating possibilities

Although only onshore or floating storage is technically required for bunkering ammonia as a maritime fuel, FSRUs open up a suite of new options for future bunkering setups – particularly power generation applications. In addition to a successful study outcome, the pair have signed a new MoU with Kansai Electric Power to explore possibilities for introducing a world-first FSRU setup. The regasified ammonia from FSRUs can potentially be used as a fuel for power generation by on or offshore units.