The world’s first commercial-use ammonia-fueled vessel, Sakigake, completed a successful three-month demonstration voyage in Tokyo Bay. Owned by NYK, it achieved a 95% greenhouse gas emission reduction, showcasing ammonia’s potential as maritime fuel. The 272-ton tug, originally LNG-fueled, marked a milestone in alternative fuel operations in the maritime industry.
Fortescue’s marine division, Fortescue Zero, showcased its ammonia-powered vessel, Green Pioneer, in London ahead of the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee meeting. The vessel aims to demonstrate the viability of ammonia as a sustainable marine fuel. After being certified in Singapore, it will undergo inspections by the UK’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
In December 2024, successful trials were conducted on a new system using industrial laser technology to remove rust, paint, and coatings from ship hulls. Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), MOL Drybulk, and Tsuneishi Shipbuilding collaborated on the project to create a more environmentally friendly and potentially automated system.
Efforts to advance ship automation for fully independent operation are progressing, with HD Hyundai achieving a milestone by demonstrating autonomous operation and remote control integration on an 8,000 TEU containership. Certification from both the Korean Registry of Shipping and the Liberia State Flag Bureau marks progress towards commercializing third-stage automation.
Energy Observer, backed by the EU’s Innovation Fund, is developing the world’s largest liquid hydrogen-powered cargo ship. The project, EO2, received €40 million to design a 160-meter containership with a 1,100 TEU capacity. The goal is to create the most eco-friendly cargo ship, with plans for commercial operations in 2029.
South Korean shipbuilder HD Hyundai Heavy Industries is leading a demonstration of autonomous operations on a large containership as part of a government-sponsored program. Equipped with specially designed systems, the vessel is showcasing autonomous collision avoidance and remote control capabilities. The initiative aims to advance technology development and establish international standards for autonomous shipping.
A groundbreaking collaboration between a nuclear transport ship and wind-assisted propulsion technology is underway in the UK. The Pacific Grebe, equipped with the innovative FastRig, aims to reduce fuel consumption by up to 30%. This trial could revolutionize the industry, promoting sustainable operations and reducing emissions. The future of shipping is here.
South Korea has achieved a major milestone in autonomous shipping with the successful installation and testing of the first containership with an integrated automation system. The vessel, POS Singapore, built as part of a government program, is now heading to Shanghai for a year of validation testing.
Amogy, a start-up specializing in ammonia-to-power technology, showcased its innovative cracking technology by powering a tugboat along a tributary of New York State’s Hudson River. This milestone, achieved just before their fourth anniversary, demonstrates their mission to decarbonize industries. The “NH3 Kraken” vessel, fueled by green ammonia, highlights Amogy’s unique contribution to sustainable maritime solutions.
Japan’s NYK, in collaboration with IHI Power Systems, has converted a tugboat in Tokyo Bay to run on ammonia-fueled propulsion, a first for commercial vessels. The project, starting four years ago, has been approved by ClassNK. The tugboat Sakigake, originally LNG-fueled, now serves as a proof of concept for alternative fuel operations.
A design project in Japan has reached a milestone in developing a hydrogen-fueled coastal tanker. Sponsored by The Nippon Foundation, the project aims to have a demonstration vessel by 2025 and operational with a hydrogen engine by 2026. ClassNK has approved designs by Uyeno Transtech, Yanmar Power Technology, and Mitsui E&S Shipbuilding, marking the first-ever certification for an oil tanker using liquid hydrogen.
Researchers are making strides in reducing methane slip emissions in the maritime industry. The Methane Abatement in Maritime Innovation Initiative (MAMII) announced promising results from technology feasibility studies by four companies. These studies showed strong potential to cut methane emissions and convert methane into alternatives for economic efficiency.
The world’s first bunkering of ammonia and engine tests took place in Singapore on the Fortescue Green Pioneer, a retrofitted offshore supply vessel. The vessel, originally the MMA Leveque, was acquired by Fortescue Future Industries in 2022. The tests aim to develop safety protocols for using ammonia as a marine fuel.
South Korea launched a new containership for Level 3 autonomous shipping, aiming to lead in the development of autonomous vessels. The vessel, named Pos Singapore, is 564 feet long with a capacity of 1,800 TEU. The government has invested over $120 million in research and development for this technology, with plans for international demonstrations later this year.
Researchers are reporting promising results in the first phase of a two-stage test of carbon capture in the maritime sector. The EverLoNG project, involving industry leaders and government funding, completed a major milestone with the first deployment of a prototype system on the LNG carrier Seapeak Arwa. The project aims to optimize shipboard carbon capture.
