Argus Clean Ammonia Asia Conference

Daisuke Hirota

Director, Hydrogen and Ammonia Division, Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (Meti)

Mr. Hirota joined the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) in 2005 after completing a master's degree of fusion research at the University of Tokyo. Amidst drastic changes in the domestic and international environment surrounding energy, he focused on energy and environmental policies, including nuclear energy policy, climate change negotiations, oil and gas policy, and so on. Also, after earning a master's degree in international relations from the University of California, San Diego in 2013, he was in charge of budget organizing and tax reform for economic measures under the COVID-19. He is in charge of public relations and supply-demand analysis of the overall energy policy, GX (green transformation) investment promotion policy, and the design of government support scheme for the introduction of hydrogen. He has been in his current position since July 2024.

Samuel Soo

Regional Director (Japan & Korea), Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA)

Samuel is currently the Regional Director (Japan & Korea) at the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), where he works with Japanese and Korean stakeholders to deepen their engagement with Singapore’s maritime sector and identify new opportunities for collaboration. Before that, he was Senior Deputy Director (Marine Services) and oversaw the departments planning for use of alternative marine fuels in Singapore, regulating the bunkering industry, and licensing of harbour craft. Samuel was trained as a naval architect and also holds a Master of Engineering in Earth System Science and Technology from Kyushu University, Japan. He started his career in the Singapore Government with the Sea Transport Division in the Ministry of Transport, before joining the MPA in 2012.

Rahmad Pribadi

CEO, PT Pupuk Indonesia (Persero)

Ahmed Galaby

Asia Pacific Hydrogen Business Manager, ExxonMobil Low Carbon Solutions

Ahmed has almost 20 years of professional experience in the energy industry, of which 15 years were spent working for ExxonMobil in Egypt and the US. Now based in Singapore, he has roles in operations, research, technology development, deployment and product management. Ahmed has a bachelor’s degrees in chemical engineering from Alexandria University and a Master’s degree in Strategic Management from the Edinburgh Business School.

Yuichiro Yoi

Principal Investment Specialist, Asian Development Bank

Yoi is Principal Investment Specialist at the Asian Development Bank (ADB), where he is part of the Private Sector Operations Department, leading a team covering southeast Asian infrastructure financing. Yoi joined ADB in 2014 and since then has built up the bank’s non-sovereign infrastructure financing operations, mainly in Indonesia. He has overseen a number of prominent deals in the geothermal, wind and solar power sectors, among others. He was recently involved in closing a deal for Indonesia’s Muara Laboh Stage 2 geothermal project. Yoi has extensive experience in project financing for power and energy projects, and is currently leading ADB’s energy transition mechanism transactions. Prior to joining ADB, Yoi worked at the Japan Bank for International Co-operation, where he led a team working on independent power producer deals across southeast Asia and Latin America. Yoi has a master’s degree in business administration from the Judge Business School at the University of Cambridge.

Ryota Shimura

General Manager of Process Engineering, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries

Ryota is General Manager of Japanese engineering firm Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ Process Engineering Department, bringing more than 20 years of experience in engineering, procurement and construction management work to the firm’s ammonia and fertilizer plant. Ryota has been actively involved in developing ammonia cracking technology for the past two years. His extensive background in process engineering, combined with his leadership skills, has been instrumental in guiding Mitsubishi’s ammonia project towards a successful outcome. Ryota is committed to advancing sustainable technologies and fostering a culture of excellence within his team.

Nobuhiko Kubota

Chief Technology Officer, IHI Corporation

Dr Kubota joined IHI Corporation in 1990, and had numerous general management roles in various departments. In 2019 he became Associate Director and General Manager of the Business Development Department of Resources, Energy and Environment Business Area. He has been in his current post since April this year. Dr Kubota obtained his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Engineering at Yokohama National University in 1988 and 1990, respectively, and completed his doctorate in Engineering at the University of Tokyo in 1997.

Shigeru (Sam) Muraki

President, Clean Fuel Ammonia Association

Yoshikazu Kobayashi

Senior Economist, Manager, Oil Group, Fossil Fuels & Electric Power Industry Unit, The Institute of Energy Economics (IEEJ)

Yoshikazu Kobayashi is Senior Research Director for the research strategy and clean energy units of government-affiliated think-tank the Institute of Energy Economics Japan (IEEJ). Yoshikazu has extensive professional and research experience in the international oil and gas industry. He previously worked as an analyst for Japanese refiner Tonen General Sekiyu, now part of Eneos, where he covered refinery operation planning and marine transport optimisation. Since joining IEEJ, Yoshikazu has conducted numerous studies into the Asian oil and natural gas markets and energy security issues in Asia. His work also includes research into opportunities and policy solutions for decarbonising fossil fuel use, such as carbon capture, utilisation and storage, and use of hydrogen and ammonia for power generation and hard-to-abate sectors. He has an MA in international economics and relations from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and a BA in social sciences from Hitotsubashi University, Tokyo.

Lars Schaumann

Managing Director, Vopak

Lars is Managing Director for global storage tank operator Vopak in Japan, where he heads up Vopak’s business development activities in Japan and South Korea. Lars has over 20 years of experience in the logistics, operations and tank storage business. He has held several senior management positions in Vopak, including Chief Operating Officer of Vopak’s Indian joint venture, Country Managing Director for Indonesia, and Deputy Managing Director and Board Member of Vopak’s Thailand joint venture. Lars previously worked for Hamburg-based logistics firm Buss and leading German tank storage, container and railcar operator VTG. Lars has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and international marketing from Hamburg University of Applied Sciences.

Kon Wai Seng

Commercial Director Asia Pacific Low Carbon Solutions, ExxonMobil

Wai Seng is Commercial Director for Asia-Pacific for major oil company ExxonMobil’s low-carbon solutions division. He has held various roles in the low-carbon sector since 2022, focusing on business development and commercialising new value chains in carbon capture and storage, hydrogen, ammonia and lower-emissions fuels. A large portion of his current role is focused on developing hydrogen and ammonia value chains in Japan. Wai Seng has previously worked in engineering and management roles, including for subsea drilling and finished lubricants production, giving him a good understanding of the unique challenges of the energy transition across industries.

Kang-Ki Lee

Managing Director, Zollner Energy Systems Gm bH

Kang-Li was President of MAN Diesel and MAN Turbo Korea from 2007 to 2012. He was the Executive Vice-President of shipbuilder DSEC in 2012-18, responsible for sales and business development. During this time, he continued as a professor at Korea Maritime & Ocean University, teaching courses covering internal combustion engines and power systems. He has been involved in briefing IMO delegates and has taken part in South Korean government projects. Kang Li holds a PhD in maritime energy management from World Maritime University in Malmo, Sweden, with a focus on mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. He also attended Oxford University’s Said Business School in 2007-10.

Nirva Ghelani

Maritime Decarbonisation Lead, BHP

Nirva leads the Maritime Decarbonisation portfolio for BHP where she manages their decarbonisation strategy and operationalizes sustainability initiatives such as launch of world’s first LNG fuelled Newcastlemax, market stimulation for biofuels and other alternate future fuels in Asia and most recently wind assisted propulsion installation. In addition, she is also actively involved in maritime ecosystem partnerships such as Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation, Global Maritime Forum’s green corridor for Iron Ore and First Movers Coalition for shipping to create an enabling environment within the maritime community for driving emissions abatement and uplifting the industry to higher standards of sustainability. Prior to BHP, Nirva was a senior consultant at McKinsey & Company working with Mining, Maritime and Energy sector clients across Asia Pacific to drive large scale transformations for operational improvement and bottom-line impact.

Shinichi Hanayama

Senior Researcher, Planning & Design Center for Greener Ships (GSC)

Shinichi Hanayama has worked at the Planning & Design Center for Greener Ships since its establishment in 2020. He estimates the GHG reduction and the cost of ships using zero or near-zero fuels made from various pathways. He also assessed the risks of using ammonia as fuel. Hanayama has attended IMO meetings and the drafting group for the reduction of air pollution and GHG since 1996. He was involved with the technical guidelines under Annex VI of MARPOL 73/78 and those on the safe use of ammonia under the SOLAS Convention during his activities. He was also a member of the International Consortium for the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th IMO GHG studies. He conducted the 4th IMO GHG study as the technical director. He has been an expert on chemical uses onboard and a member of the GESAMP Working Groups.

Kohei Toyoda

Director General for Energy Transformation Strategy, Japan Bank for International Cooperation, JBIC

Kohei is currently in charge of global hydrogen value chain development and individual financing transactions at JBIC and was previously the company’s Chief Representative for the Middle East, based in Dubai. Before that he worked for Japanese government, promoting international business co-operation between Japan and partner countries. He has extensive knowledge of project finance and policy-based public sector finance and holds a Masters degree in Economics from the University of London.

Richard Colwill

Head of Engineering & Innovation, InterContinental Energy

Richard is the Head of Engineering and Innovation at hydrogen project developer InterContinental Energy. He has over 30 years of experience in planning, engineering and risk management. At InterContinental Energy, Richard leads a world-class engineering team focused on developing and implementing innovative strategies for green hydrogen technology. His team collaborates closely with project partners to bring cutting-edge solutions to life, driving the company's position at the forefront of sustainable energy innovation. InterContinental Energy has established itself as an industry pioneer, boasting three flagship projects that have attracted partnerships with energy giants such as Shell, BP and South Korea's Kepco. The company's innovative approach has garnered support from major institutional investors, including Singaporean sovereign wealth fund GIC and French clean hydrogen fund Hy24. Beyond project development, InterContinental Energy has emerged as a technology leader through its proprietary P2(H2)NodeTM architecture.

Lars T. Danielsen

Promotion Manager, MAN Energy Solutions

Working with MAN Energy Solutions for more than 10 years, first within Tier III development and maturation in the Operation Department and now as promotion manager, supporting international shipowners in configuring newbuilding projects with the latest technologies, Mr Danielsen possesses a broad technical knowledge and a wide industry network.

Rui Chen

Vice President/Ammonia Product Manager, Ampro (Shanghai) Chem Co. Ltd.

Ren Jiang

Sales President – APAC, Longi Hydrogen

Christian Renk

Head of Technology, Innovation & Sustainability (TIS), thyssenkrupp Uhde

Christian studied chemical engineering and did his PhD on DME synthesis from gasified biomass at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. Following completion of his PhD, Christian worked in Australia for six years in the fields of wastewater cleaning and nitric acid/ammonium nitrate. He returned to Germany and started working for thyssenkrupp in 2014 as a research engineer. A year later, he was promoted, heading the Technology, Innovation and Sustainability Fertilizer group. Through restructuring the group, Christian is now responsible for several technologies including green and blue ammonia developments.

Priyan Mistry

Business Development Manager - Ammonia Cracking Technology & Catalysts, Matthey

Priyan is a chartered chemical engineer with experience in various engineering and commercial positions. Since joining Johnson Matthey in 2013, he has contributed across multiple industries including ammonia, methanol, hydrogen, gas processing, petrochemicals, refineries, battery materials, and electrolyzers. Most recently Priyan has focused on business development for ammonia cracking technology and catalysts, supporting customers to develop the value chain for clean hydrogen imports.

Andrea Valentini

VP - Business Development Ammonia, Argus

Andrea Valentini has 15 years of experience of commodities market analysis. He is currently leading Argus' global ammonia business, as well as hydrogen and fertilizers markets in APAC and Middle East. Andrea was also the lead author of the highly regarded Argus Green Ammonia Strategy Report. Prior to joining Argus, he was the head of consulting for Integer Research. He is a regular speaker and industry events and has over 10 years of experience in APAC markets. Andrea is a graduate in Economics from the University of Padua in Italy and holds an MBA from McGill University, Canada.

Marina Simonova

Principal - Consulting, Fertilizer & Clean Ammonia Analytics, Argus

Marina has more than 20 years' experience in the fertilizer industry, specialising in the ammonia value chain, including low-carbon ammonia. She leads Argus’ subscription analytics team across all fertilizer nutrients, focusing on short and long-term forecasting. Marina has developed a unique, in-depth understanding of the global fertilizer and ammonia markets, from leading producers to consulting companies. She also has a senior leadership role at global association IFA. 

Mahua Mitra

Editor, Marine Fuels (Asia), Argus

Mahua Mitra has worked with Argus since 2013 and is the Asia Pacific editor for marine fuels. She was leading the bitumen desk for the Asia-Pacific and the Middle East markets from Oct 2020 to May 2023. Prior to this, she also co-led the Asian petrochemicals desk within Argus, covering aromatics, methanol, polymers and olefins. She has more than 20 years’ experience working as a journalist and editor with various publications in Singapore and India.