A first shipment of independently-certified low-carbon ammonia has arrived in Japan for use as fuel in power generation.
This initiative is part of broader efforts by Aramco and Saudi Basic Industries Corp. Agri-Nutrients to establish a global supply network for this lower-carbon fuel.
Aramco and SABIC AN also aim to supply low-carbon ammonia to other players to meet their early demand needs.
The shipment is the result of a successful multiparty collaboration across the low-carbon ammonia value chain.
The ammonia was produced by SABIC Agri-Nutrients with feedstock from Aramco, and sold by Aramco Trading Company to the Fuji Oil Company.
Mitsui OSK Lines was tasked with shipping the liquid to Japan, then the low-carbon ammonia was transported to the Sodegaura Refinery for use in co-fired power generation, with technical support provided by Japan Oil Engineering Co..
The ammonia is categorized as low-carbon because CO2 from the associated manufacturing process was captured and utilized in downstream applications.
Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has announced plans to increasingly harness ammonia as a fuel for power generation and for ship propulsion, as part of the country’s 2050 decarbonization goals.
The low-carbon ammonia that reached Japan is part of broader efforts by Aramco and SABIC AN to establish a global supply network for this lower-carbon fuel.—AN