American Bureau of Shipping, CALAMCO, Fleet Management Limited, Sumitomo Corporation and TOTE Services, LLC announced the execution of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to jointly conduct a feasibility study (hereinafter "Study") with the aim to be one of the pioneers in establishing a comprehensive and competitive supply chain for the provision of clean ammonia ship-to-ship bunkering in the US West Coast. This Study will be conducted at the Port of Oakland, Benicia and nearby major ports in U.S. West Coast. Ammonia, which does not emit any CO2 when combusted, has long been considered one of the most promising alternative marine fuels to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) direct emissions within the shipping industry which aligns with the revised International Maritime Organization (IMO) strategy to reach net-zero emissions from international shipping "close to" 2050 on a life-cycle basis.

CALAMCO is a California based cooperative composed of grower members, as well as the largest ammonia distributer in California. The Study aims to explore possibility to utilize CALAMCO's existing ammonia storage terminal at port of Stockton for a pilot demonstration project of ammonia bunkering for car carriers calling at port of Benicia and container vessels calling at port of Oakland as first step toward wide adoption of ammonia as marine fuel in the US West Coast. Port of Benicia is one of the key vehicle-handing ports in U.S. West Coast, while Port of Oakland also rank among top 10 of US largest container ports.

Safety assessments are critical to formulate standards for use of ammonia as a marine fuel due to the toxicity of the substance. Relevant government agencies and experts in the US will be engaged in working towards the standardization of safe operation and regulations. Partners and their Key Roles are: American Bureau of Shipping will conduct risk assessment of ammonia StS bunkering and lead in the coordination with relevant authorities in the US to establish port regulations and operational guidelines.

CALAMCO will conduct feasibility study of ammonia loading operation from CALAMCO Ammonia terminal to Ammonia Bunkering Articulated Tug-Barge (AB-ATB), leveraging on competencies and experiences in relation to safe and reliable operation track record of the Terminal. Fleet Management Limited will work on the development of safe and reliable ammonia bunkering procedures from a ship manager point of view, and provide technical support in the design development of AFV and AB-ATB. Sumitomo will structure, integrate and promote the end-to-end supply chain of green/blue ammonia, which includes sourcing, transportation, storage and bunkering.

TOTE Services will develop AB-ATB and safe and reliable ammonia bunkering procedures from AB-ATB's point of view, leveraging their competencies and experiences in relation to safe and reliable operation track record of LNG Bunkering in the US.