Exmar completes ammonia STS transfer in Oman

Shipping company Exmar has completed its largest ship-to-ship (STS) transfer of ammonia at the Port of Sohar in Oman.

IMAGE: STS ammonia transfer in Sohar port, Oman. Exmar Ship Management

The firm’s 38,000-cbm gas carrier, Kortrijk, discharged a full cargo of ammonia in the operation, Exmar said in a social media post.

It said the transfer positions it well, as ammonia is expected to play a growing role as a bunker fuel in the future. Exmar currently has four ammonia dual-fuel gas carriers on order.

Why ship-to-ship transfers matter?

Ammonia is hazardous and toxic, which means strict safety protocols are required for its use and handling as a marine fuel, particularly during bunkering and storage.

STS transfers can be used to replicate the key steps involved in ammonia bunkering, as both operations require specialised equipment, robust containment and strict handling procedures to minimise the risk of leaks and exposure to ammonia during fuel transfer between vessels.

Several ammonia STS pilots took place last year.

Singapore’s Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation carried out an ammonia transfer trial in the Australian port of Dampier. Japanese shipping company NYK Line completed its first STS ammonia transfer of about 23,000 mt of liquefied ammonia off the coast of Ceuta in Spain.

Commodity trader Trafigura and shipowner Purus also completed an STS operation near Ceuta, transferring about 6,000 mt of ammonia cargo.

By Konica Bhatt

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