Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), a Japanese company, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Electricity Generation Authority of Thailand (EGAT), Mitsubishi Company, and Chiyoda Corporation to undertake decarbonization projects in Thailand. The MoU was signed during the Asia Zero Emissions Community (AZEC) public-private investment forum and Ministerial Meeting held in Tokyo in March 2023. Under the MoU, the parties will jointly explore the establishment of value chains for clean hydrogen and ammonia derived from renewable energy sources in southern Thailand, including production, storage, transport, utilization, and supply to domestic and international markets.
Thailand is seen as an important country in the AZEC concept advocated by the Japanese government, and it is anticipated that the push towards carbon neutrality will accelerate further in the future. MOL had previously established “MOL Group Environmental Vision 2.1” to promote the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to the establishment of a supply chain for clean energy resources such as ammonia and hydrogen.
As part of its environmental strategy, MOL plans to deploy about 110 net-zero emission oceangoing vessels by 2035, including a hydrogen-producing vessel equipped with multiple rigid sails, called the Wind Hunter. The company’s collaboration with EGAT, Mitsubishi Company, and Chiyoda Corporation on decarbonization projects in Thailand is a significant step towards achieving MOL’s environmental vision.
The joint exploration of clean hydrogen and ammonia value chains in southern Thailand is a promising initiative that aligns with the global shift towards renewable energy and decarbonization. The collaboration between MOL, EGAT, Mitsubishi Company, and Chiyoda Corporation reflects the growing interest in and commitment to sustainable development, and it is expected to contribute significantly to the transition towards a low-carbon future.
(Sources: Shizen Energy; Offshore Energy)