First Mid-Sized Ammonia Carrier Ordered by Japanese Company

A Japanese consortium of companies, sponsored by the government, has reached a milestone in the development of ammonia shipping. They have signed construction contracts for one of the world’s first ammonia-fueled ammonia carriers, with completion expected by November 2026. The vessel will have a transportation capacity of 40,000 cbm of ammonia fuel and will be powered by an ammonia dual-fuel two-stroke engine. The consortium was launched in October 2021 and received an Approval in Principle in September 2022.

The project has faced challenges such as managing toxicity and reducing risk for the crew, preventing leakage, achieving stable combustion, and treating potential emissions. The consortium aims to contribute to the practical application of ammonia-fueled ships and shape the regulatory environment. They also plan to contribute to international rule-making as there are currently no international rules in place for ammonia as a fuel.

The next steps in the project include detailed studies for the vessel’s construction and the production of an operating manual for the ship. The Japanese effort is part of a larger trend, with South Korean shipyards also beginning to accept orders for large ammonia carriers. Japan emphasizes the importance of developing the ammonia value chain and anticipates a strong demand for transportation capabilities as ammonia emerges as a fuel.

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