Japanese ammonia-fueled vessels project gets government approval

A partnership of Japanese companies including Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK), Japan Engine Corporation, IHI Power Systems, and Nihon Shipyard has received approval from the country’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organisation (NEDO) to participate in a demonstration project for the commercialisation of vessels equipped with domestically produced, ammonia-fueled engines.

The demonstration project aims to use ammonia as fuel to significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions during voyages and thus introduce a working ammonia-fueled vessel no later than 2030.

The project is scheduled to begin in December 2021 with classification society ClassNK added to the partnership. Completion will be in March 2028.

Two sub-projects under the main project have been granted NEDO approval. These cover the development of a tug and a gas carrier, both of which will be utilise ammonia as their main fuel.