IHI Corp, Vopak partner to develop ammonia terminals in Japan

Japanese company IHI Corporation (IHI) and Dutch storage company Vopak have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly explore the development of ammonia terminals in Japan, with the potential for collaboration on projects outside the country, IHI said November 21.

The MoU will focus on evaluating the feasibility of ammonia terminals in Japan, assessing strategies to optimise terminal operations for enhanced cost-effectiveness, and exploring the conversion and supply of various hydrogen derivatives.

IHI is actively pursuing a decarbonised society through the development of integrated technologies spanning the entire ammonia value chain, from fuel production to storage and utilisation. The company is currently developing comprehensive technology for large-scale ammonia receiving terminals, leveraging its expertise in LNG storage tank technology.

Vopak, with ammonia storage operations in China, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Malaysia, and the US, brings its experience in ammonia handling and storage to the partnership. The company is also collaborating on a project to develop a large-scale, low-carbon ammonia production and export facility on the Houston Ship Channel in the US.