Five Japanese firms seek subsidy on ammonia supply base study

A consortium of Japanese companies has applied for a subsidy from the Consortium for Resilient Omni-energy Supply System (CROS) to conduct a feasibility study on establishing an ammonia supply base in the Soma area of Fukushima Prefecture in Japan.

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The feasibility study, adopted on 30 May, intends to set up facilities in the Soma area of Fukushima Prefecture for receiving, storing, and distributing ammonia. Its goal is to establish a viable operation capable of supplying ammonia to a wider geographical area including north Kanto, particularly Soma and nearby regions, as well as Tohoku and Hokkaido.

However, the consortium has not revealed if any portion of ammonia from this project will be supplied to the shipping industry.

The consortium, consisting of Japan Petroleum Exploration, Mitsubishi Gas Chemical, IHI Corporation, Mitsui & Co., and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), will now begin assessing and analysing the specifications required for the ammonia facility's construction.The group will also conduct surveys on vessels to be used in this project and study potential business models.

The companies mentioned that their application to CROS seeks partial subsidy for feasibility studies related to building infrastructure for hydrogen and other resources supply. This includes support for conducting these feasibility studies.

CROS is a collaborative initiative in Japan aimed at enhancing petroleum refiners' efficiency, establishing stable supply systems for non-fossil fuels, and expediting the adoption of hydrogen and other resources.

The consortium commenced the joint study in January this year.

By Tuhin Roy

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