Sumitomo and Höegh Autoliners partner to facilitate supply of ammonia in key ports

Japanese conglomerate Sumitomo and Norwegian logistics company Höegh Autoliners have agreed to collaborate on the supply of clean ammonia as bunker fuel at the ports of Singapore and Jacksonville from 2027.

PHOTO: Company representatives at the deal signing event. Höegh Autoliners

Under the agreement, both companies will look into the supply and delivery of clean ammonia as bunker fuel for Höegh Autoliners’ upcoming 12 pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs) in the key ports of Singapore and Jacksonville. All of these vessels are capable of running “on zero-carbon ammonia or carbonneutral methanol,” Höegh Autoliners claims.

The partnership intends “to stimulate the upscaling of the supply and demand of clean ammonia for maritime usage.” Both companies “view clean ammonia as a promising future fuel for the maritime industry, offering substantial potential in addressing the challenges associated with greenhouse gas emissions in global shipping,” the Norwegian logistics firm adds.

Going forward, both companies will analyse the prerequisites for compatibility between the upcoming PCTCs and the ammonia bunkering facilities at the identified ports. They aim to make necessary modifications for both “shore-to-ship” and “ship-to-ship” bunkering operations and start safety assessments in accordance with relevant regulations and government authorities.

The duo plans to pursue ammonia bunkering for these vessels in the two identified ports from 2027. Meanwhile, the Port of Singapore plans to begin ammonia bunkering from 2026.

The companies, however, have not specified the collaboration is for which type of ammonia. Sumitomo Corporation supplies various types of clean ammonia including green ammonia produced from renewable energy, blue ammonia with the CO2 from the production processes captured and permanently stored and bio ammonia produced from renewable natural gas.

“The commitment with Sumitomo Corporation is a strong strategic move in our efforts to offer our customers net-zero transportation globally, addressing the need for sustainable fuel availability in key ports such as Singapore and Jacksonville,” Höegh Autoliners chief executive Andreas Enger says.

By Tuhin Roy

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