Japan's K Line has assembled a heavyweight line-up for a new study into how ammonia can be developed as a marine fuel.
The group brings together shipowners, traders and port companies, as well as representatives from the energy, utilities and mining sectors.
US bulker owner Genco Shipping & Trading and Swiss charterer and owner Trafigura are joining the initiative, which involves 22 companies.
Bunker operators, chemicals companies and shipbuilders are also taking part.
The study will look at safety issues for the toxic chemical on board ships and during bunkering, as well as fuel specifications and CO2 emissions.
The group also plans to ask ammonia producers, regulatory bodies and port authorities to share their expertise and views.
K Line said the project is part of efforts to comply with the International Maritime Organization's carbon reduction target of 50% by 2050.
"In order to achieve these goals, the early adoption of ammonia as a suitable zero-emission, alternative marine fuel is one of the key elements," the shipowner said.
Rasmus Bach Nielsen, global head of fuel decarbonisation at Trafigura, said that for ammonia to be widely accepted as a marine fuel, the industry needs to help demystify the risks and safety measures needed, so that they are understood by policymakers and the maritime industry.
"This initiative is much needed," he added.
Jose Maria Larocca, executive director and co-head of oil trading at the trading group, said Trafigura plans to be an active participant in the study.
"We are committed to the cross-industry collaboration that is urgently needed to bring forward the low- and zero-carbon fuels and technologies that will enable the maritime energy to decarbonise," he said.
Big names sign up
Classification societies ABS, ClassNK and DNV have signed up for the study, while mining giants Anglo American, Fortescue Metals and Vale are involved.
Equinor, Itochu, Jera and Man Energy Solutions also feature on the list of those taking part.
In addition, K Line is cooperating with Japanese bulker owner NS United, Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding, Nihon Shipyard and terminal group Vopak, as well as TotalEnergies and Pavilion Energy.
The move comes less than a month after a South Korean group was set up to look at ammonia supply chains.
This involved South Korean shipowner HMM leading an alliance seeking solutions to cover the production, storage, transport and bunkering of the fuel.
Participants include steel producer Posco, classification society Korean Register of Shipping and Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, the main shipyard unit of Hyundai Heavy Industries Holdings.
Lotte Fine Chemical and Lotte Global Logistics are also involved.
