Vopak and A*STAR to jointly study low-carbon marine fuels

Dutch storage terminal operator Vopak and the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) have agreed to jointly explore ways to tackle the challenges associated with low-carbon fuels such as hydrogen and ammonia.

PHOTO: The signatories of the MoU Rob Boudestijn, President, Vopak Terminals Singapore, and Prof Yeo Yee Chia, Assistant Chief Executive, Innovation & Enterprise, A*STAR. Vopak

The duo will conduct a joint study to address challenges associated with handling of hydrogen and ammonia, "such as scalability, safety, storage and transportation." 

Vopak has experience and resources for importing, storing and handling large amounts of ammonia, while A*STAR has research capabilities in energy transition and low-carbon fuels.

Researchers will have access to Vopak's ammonia import, storage and handling infrastructure in Singapore, which would accelerate the research and pilot trials for new technologies related to safe handling of low carbon fuels, Vopak said.

Low-carbon hydrogen is becoming an increasingly attractive option for generating electricity and serving as a bunker fuel. It has the potential to accelerate Singapore's efforts to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Similarly, ammonia, which is a hydrogen carrier, is gaining popularity as an alternative fuel for power generation and as a low-carbon marine fuel.

By Debarati Bhattacharjee

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