Tokyo-based trading company Itochu Corp. and its affiliate Itochu Enex Co. Ltd., announced on March 12 that along with ammonia producer Ube Industries Ltd., Tokyo, and fleet owner Uyeno Transtech Ltd., Kanagawa Prefecture, they have reached an agreement to supply marine ammonia fuel and jointly develop supply sites in Japan.
Itochu will develop marine ammonia fuel supply sites and fuel supply vessels, while Itochu will make use of its experience related to the operation of fuel supply refueling vessels and conduct research and development into ammonia fuel supply sites in Japan. Ube will undertake research and development on the supply of marine ammonia fuel itself and on the development of the onshore facilities required for its supply.
As the largest owner and operator of domestic vessels in Japan, and as a company that is already involved in the marine LNG fuel supply business, Uyeno Transtech will conduct research and development into marine ammonia fuel supply vessels, as well as the formulation of safety standards for refueling.