27 Dec 2021

Sumitomo Corporation and Keppel Offshore & Marine enter MOU to Explore Ammonia Fuel Business in Singapore

Sumitomo Corporation and Keppel FELS, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd (Keppel O&M), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore the feasibility and implementation of various ammonia fuel applications in Singapore. 

Ammonia, a compound of hydrogen and nitrogen, emits no carbon dioxide when combusted, and therefore has long been considered as a next-generation fuel for thermal power generation and large ocean-going vessels. Ammonia is also expected to play a role as an energy carrier for hydrogen since it is easier to liquefy and transport than hydrogen. 

Through this MOU, Sumitomo Corporation and Keppel O&M will work on the implementation of ammonia bunkering in Singapore, with the aim to commence commercial operations in the mid-2020s. Sumitomo Corporation and Keppel O&M will accelerate the development of an ammonia bunkering vessel in coordination with the relevant authorities, expediting the implementation of ammonia bunkering in Singapore and contributing to the realization of zero carbon shipping. Sumitomo Corporation and Keppel O&M will also work to expand the ammonia value chain in Singapore. 

As Singapore aspires to reduce energy consumption, improve energy efficiency and transition its power generation portfolio towards net-zero emissions, limited land space remains one of the critical challenges in the implementation of large-scale green energy. One of the solutions that Sumitomo Corporation and Keppel O&M will be exploring is the use of green energy such as ammonia for offshore power generation in Singapore. 

Hajime Mori, Energy Innovation Initiative Director of Sumitomo Corporation, said, “We are delighted to cooperate not only on Ammonia bunkering but Ammonia business opportunities in Singapore with Keppel O&M. In line with our basic environment policy that aims to make the Sumitomo Corporation Group carbon neutral in 2050, we would like to pursue this business with Keppel O&M group to achieve our common goal.” 

Tan Leong Peng, Managing Director (New Builds), Keppel O&M, said, “We are pleased to extend our collaboration with Sumitomo Corporation which will deepen Keppel O&M’s decarbonisation efforts. Keppel O&M is working with its partners and leveraging its engineering expertise, bunkering experience, and new build capabilities to develop the ammonia bunkering ecosystem for the marine industry. We are also applying our research in ammonia to advance adjacent solutions in green energy generation. This is in line with Keppel’s Vision 2030, which includes seizing opportunities in new energy.” 

Keppel O&M is committed to providing a range of solutions to support the decarbonisation of the marine industry as well as providing cleaner offshore energy sources. With in-depth engineering expertise and an established track record in the gas value chain, Keppel O&M offers proven and customised solutions in LNG, which is an important part of the clean energy transition and increasingly adopted as a marine fuel. It is leveraging its experience in LNG to drive research and develop solutions to enable the adoption of hydrogen and ammonia as a marine fuel and energy source. Keppel O&M is also developing a comprehensive electric vessel supply chain in Singapore, which will feature marinized energy storage systems to power harbour craft. 

The above development is not expected to have a material impact on the net tangible assets or earnings per share of Keppel Corporation Limited for the current financial year.

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About Sumitomo Corporation: 

Sumitomo Corporation (“SC”) is a leading Fortune 500 global trading and business investment company with 135 locations (Japan: 22, Overseas: 113) in 66 countries and regions. The entire SC Group consists of more than 900 companies. SC conducts commodity transactions in all industries utilising worldwide networks, provides customers with financing, serves as an organiser and a coordinator for various projects, and invests in companies to promote greater growth potential. SC’s core business areas include six business units: Metal Products; Transportation & Construction Systems; Infrastructure; Media & Digital; Living Related & Real Estate; and Mineral Resources, Energy, Chemical & Electronics, and one initiative: Energy Innovation. 

For more information, please visit www.sumitomocorp.com/en/jp

About Keppel Offshore & Marine: 

Keppel Offshore & Marine (Keppel O&M) is a world leader in providing total solutions to the offshore, marine and energy industries. Bolstered by a global network of yards and offices, it has extensive know-how across a wide range of capabilities – design & engineering, new builds, conversions & repairs, and support services. 

A pioneer in offshore solutions, Keppel O&M has a strong track record in designing and building high-performance offshore platforms, production units and specialised ships. It is a trusted partner in the conversion, repair and modification of diverse and complex rigs and vessels, and is also a developer of integrated solutions for the offshore renewable and infrastructure industries. 

Backed by robust operational excellence, Keppel O&M innovates and leverages new technologies to deliver projects on time, on budget, safely, reliably, and to the highest quality. For more information, visit www.keppelom.com.