Saudi Aramco, Sabic sent first certified low-carbon ammonia to Japan

Saudi Aramco, Sabic sent first certified low-carbon ammonia to Japan

Saudi Arabia - In a landmark achievement, the first shipment of independently-certified low-carbon ammonia from Saudi Arabia has arrived in Japan for use as fuel in power generation. It represents another milestone in the development of this lower-carbon energy solution.

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 (Sabic AN) with feedstock from Aramco, and sold by Aramco Trading Company to the Fuji Oil Company (FOC).

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. Aramco and Sabic AN aim to supply low-carbon ammonia to other players to meet their early demand needs.

Technical support

Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) 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 (JOE).

The ammonia is categorised as low-carbon because CO2 from the associated manufacturing process was captured and utilised 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