Keppel Corp and Sumitomo Corp are teaming up to explore the feasibility of introducing ammonia bunkering into Singapore within the next couple of years.

The Singapore and Japan-based companies said they will accelerate the development of an ammonia bunkering vessel with the aim to commence commercial operations in the mid-2020s.

Ammonia, a compound of hydrogen and nitrogen, emits no carbon dioxide when combusted and therefore has long been considered as a next-generation fuel for thermal power generation and shipping.