Developments in zero-carbon energy for the shipping industry through ammonia fuel (AF) continue to spin out across the freight sector, with the latest news being that Japanese line, Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL), has re-entered the AF trade.
Earlier this week it was announced that MSC was in the process of expanding its fleet with six dual-fuel newbuilds powered by liquid natural gas (LNG) and ammonia (https://tinyurl.com/ynrxc7uk).
In January it was reported that Sasol should be done with a feasibility study into developing Boegoebaai south of Alexander Bay on South Africa’s west coast as a possible export hub for green hydrogen and ammonia (https://tinyurl.com/y47eh5e2).
Now MOL has announced that it’s exploring the manufacture of a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU).
Commencement of the FSRU project follows a memorandum of understanding signed between MOL, Mitsubishi Shipbuilding and Kansai Electric Power.
FSRUs are generally regarded as a more affordable and time-efficient way to store and regas LNG offshore as on-land storage of LNG is not only costly, but manufacturing the necessary facilities has a long manufacturing lead time.
