Fortescue completes ammonia trials in Singapore
Fortescue, with support from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), government agencies, research institutes, and industry partners, has successfully completed propulsion and manoeuvrability trials of its Singapore-registered Fortescue Green Pioneer in the Port of Singapore (Source: Fortescue)
Australia-based Fortescue has successfully completed renewable fuel trials on its Singapore-registered tug, Fortescue Green Pioneer, in the Port of Singapore. These latest trials, involving propulsion and manoeuvrability tests, following the delivery of 4.4 tonnes of liquid ammonia to the tug at Vopak Banyan Terminal, Jurong Island.
Undertaken with support from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), government agencies, research institutes, and other industry partners, the fuel trials were carried out using a combination of liquid ammonia, diesel and hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO), a biofuel, over a ten-day period from April 23rd.
The latest tests followed an earlier exercise in March. At that time, dual-fuel ammonia trials were completed prior to the vessel receiving flag approval from the Singapore Registry of Ships. The tug was subsequently awarded ‘Gas Fuelled Ammonia’ notation by DNV to use ammonia in combination with diesel.
These earlier trials, carried out over a seven-week period while the Fortescue Green Pioneer was at anchor, included testing of the vessel’s ammonia storage systems, piping, gas fuel delivery system, retrofitted engines, and seaworthiness.
For the most recent trials, a designated area of the Raffles Reserves Anchorage was secured by the MPA. An Emergency Operations Centre was set up at MPA’s Port Operations Control Centre for representatives of MPA, Fortescue, Vopak, research institutes, and government agencies, to monitor fuel loading and sea trials. Ammonia plume modelling and drone surveillance was also used to support safety and incident planning and response.
The trials also included tests to validate the management of nitrogen-based emissions. They also assessed the tug engine’s scope to operate on varying amounts of HVO in combination with ammonia.
Part of the project related to the strengthening of cyber security. The MPA is now in discussion with Fortescue on the monitoring of info-comm technology and operational technology systems on board the Fortescue Green Pioneer to develop cyber threat resilience aboard vessels using alternative fuels. Fortescue is a subsidiary of the Australian mining company, Fortescue Metals Group, one of the world’s largest iron ore producers.
