Air Liquide, Vopak sign MoU on ammonia, hydrogen infrastructure in Singapore

Industrial gas supplier Air Liquide and tank storage provider Vopak have inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on developing and operating infrastructure for ammonia import, cracking, and hydrogen distribution in Singapore, Vopak said on March 11.

This collaboration will involve a study and exploration of potential ammonia cracking facilities and associated ammonia storage and handling infrastructure at Vopak's Banyan terminal. Furthermore, the partnership aims to explore the distribution of low-carbon hydrogen through a dedicated hydrogen pipeline network.

"We are proud to apply our expertise to crack low-carbon ammonia into low-carbon hydrogen, aimed at reducing carbon emissions in industrial basins and hard-to-abate sectors," Zhang Xi, managing director of Air Liquide Singapore, said.

Ammonia, heralded as a low-carbon fuel for power generation and maritime applications, stands out for its efficiency as a hydrogen carrier. Once transported, ammonia can be converted into hydrogen to contribute to the decarbonisation of industry and mobility. 

"As Singapore gears up for receiving and handling ammonia for power generation and bunkering, cracking of ammonia into hydrogen presents an additional application to help the industry shift to lower carbon feedstock," Rob Boudestijn, president of Vopak Singapore, said.