First Ammonia-Fueled Tugboat Achieves GHG Reduction by 95%

The world’s first commercial-use ammonia-fueled vessel, named Sakigake, recently completed a successful three-month demonstration voyage in Tokyo Bay. Owned by NYK, the vessel achieved an impressive greenhouse gas emission reduction of up to approximately 95 percent, showcasing the potential of ammonia as a maritime fuel. The 272-ton tug Sakigake, originally built in 2015 as Japan’s first LNG-fueled tug, was selected for this pioneering project, marking a significant milestone in alternative fuel operations in the maritime industry.

The conversion program for Sakigake was completed on August 23, 2024, by Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK) and IHI Power Systems Co., in collaboration with Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK). This initiative was part of a Green Innovation Fund Project sponsored by Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO). The project, which began in October 2021, focused on developing vessels equipped with domestically produced ammonia-fueled engines, with the ultimate goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in maritime operations.

During the three-month demonstration voyage in Tokyo Bay, NYK and IPS analyzed the ammonia co-firing and greenhouse gas reduction rates of Sakigake. The results showed a consistent reduction of over 90 percent in greenhouse gas emissions, with the potential to reach up to 95 percent depending on engine load rates. Following the successful demonstration, Sakigake will continue to be used for tugboat operations in Tokyo Bay, allowing NYK to further accumulate knowledge and experience in the development and operation of ammonia-fueled vessels. Additionally, NYK, Japan Engine Corporation, IPS, and Nippon Shipyard Co. are collaborating on the development of an ammonia-fueled ammonia gas carrier, scheduled for delivery in November 2026, as part of their efforts to introduce next-generation fueled vessels.

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