Advario has announced that the Keppel Ltd.’s Infrastructure Division (Keppel) consortium, comprising Advario, Keppel, and Sumitomo Corporation, has been appointed by the Energy Market Authority and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore to proceed to the next phase of Singapore’s low- or zero-carbon ammonia power generation and bunkering project on Jurong Island. The appointment represents a significant milestone in Singapore’s strategy to develop a cleaner and more sustainable energy infrastructure.
Advario’s Role and Strategic Contribution
As the consortium’s storage partner, Advario brings specialised expertise in cryogenic storage to ensure safe and efficient handling of ammonia throughout the supply chain. The company’s involvement reflects its commitment to Singapore’s decarbonisation agenda, particularly in power generation and maritime bunkering applications, whilst aligning with Advario’s broader strategy to advance sustainable energy solutions globally.
The collaboration combines the distinct strengths of the three consortium partners to deliver an innovative ammonia project designed to achieve measurable environmental impact. Advario’s experience in handling complex storage requirements for energy products positions the company to address the technical challenges associated with ammonia infrastructure development.
Ammonia as an Emerging Clean Fuel
Ammonia is gaining recognition as a promising fuel for future energy systems due to its environmental characteristics and practical advantages. The compound produces no carbon dioxide when combusted and offers relative ease of storage and transport compared to other alternative fuels. These properties make ammonia a strong candidate for decarbonising sectors including power generation and maritime shipping.
When produced using renewable energy sources, green ammonia can play a crucial role in achieving net-zero emissions targets whilst supporting global energy security objectives. The Singapore project aims to demonstrate the commercial viability of ammonia as both a power generation fuel and a marine bunker fuel, potentially establishing a model for broader regional adoption.
Leadership Perspectives
Bas Verkooijen, CEO of Advario, expressed pride in the consortium’s appointment by the Energy Market Authority and Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore to provide a low- or zero-carbon ammonia solution on Jurong Island. He characterised the project as exemplifying the power of partnerships and Advario’s commitment to playing a frontrunner role in the energy transition.
Cindy Lim, CEO of Keppel’s Infrastructure Division, described the consortium as trailblazing and emphasised its role in advancing a resilient, low-carbon energy future. Building upon a successful pre-front-end engineering design study, she noted the consortium’s intention to continue working with world-class partners whilst leveraging Keppel’s deep engineering expertise and proven operating capabilities to deliver a cost-competitive, scalable ammonia value chain for zero-emission power generation and bunkering.
Lim highlighted that upon implementation, the facility would rank among the world’s first direct-ammonia combustion power plants and represent Singapore’s inaugural such installation, setting a new benchmark for clean fuel solutions and global decarbonisation efforts.
Kazuki Yamaguchi, GM of the Maritime Energy Solution Strategic Business Unit at Sumitomo Corporation, described the selection as a pivotal milestone for the team. He noted that Sumitomo Corporation has been intensively exploring ammonia bunkering since 2021, establishing groundwork for the solutions now being advanced in partnership with Singapore’s regulatory authorities.
Yamaguchi expressed appreciation for the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore’s trust in designating Sumitomo Corporation as a strategic partner in shaping sustainable shipping’s future. He emphasised that achieving true scale and commercialisation requires bold collaboration across the entire maritime value chain, a collaborative spirit shared with consortium partners Keppel and Advario in collectively building a clean ammonia ecosystem in Singapore that can serve as a regional model.
Technical and Commercial Significance
The project represents a substantial technical undertaking, requiring integration of ammonia import infrastructure, cryogenic storage facilities, power generation systems capable of direct ammonia combustion, and bunkering infrastructure to serve maritime vessels. The consortium’s appointment to proceed to the next development phase indicates successful completion of preliminary feasibility and engineering studies demonstrating technical and commercial viability.
Singapore’s selection of Jurong Island as the project location leverages existing energy infrastructure and industrial facilities whilst providing strategic access to maritime shipping lanes. The island’s established role as a regional energy hub positions it advantageously for developing ammonia supply chains serving both domestic power generation and international marine fuel markets.
Energy Transition and Maritime Decarbonisation
The project addresses the dual objectives of power sector decarbonisation and maritime emissions reduction. Direct ammonia combustion for power generation offers an alternative to fossil fuel-based generation without requiring extensive modifications to transmission infrastructure, whilst ammonia bunkering capabilities support the maritime industry’s transition toward low-carbon fuels.
The International Maritime Organization has established progressively stringent emissions reduction targets for shipping, creating demand for alternative fuels with lower lifecycle emissions than conventional marine fuels. Ammonia’s characteristics as a zero-carbon combustion fuel position it as a viable option for vessels seeking to comply with emerging environmental regulations.
Regional Leadership and Replication Potential
Singapore’s advancement of this ammonia project reflects the nation’s strategy to maintain leadership in energy innovation whilst supporting regional decarbonisation objectives. By demonstrating commercial-scale ammonia infrastructure and applications, Singapore aims to establish technical standards and operational practices that can be replicated across Asia-Pacific markets facing similar decarbonisation challenges.
The consortium’s successful execution of this pioneering project could accelerate broader adoption of ammonia as an energy carrier and marine fuel, potentially catalysing development of regional supply chains and supporting infrastructure across Southeast Asia and beyond.
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