Japanese firms target ammonia-fuelled bulk carrier

A group of Japanese companies plan to work with Germany-based engine manufacturer MAN Energy Solutions in developing an ammonia-fuelled bulk carrier.

Shipping firms Kwasaki Kisen Kaisha (Kline) and NS United Kaiun, trading house Itochu and vessel engineering firms Nihon Shipyard and Mitsui E&S signed an initial agreement on 10 April to develop a pilot 200,000dwt-class bulk carrier equipped with an ammonia-fuelled engine. The vessel will be used to collect data for building future commercial ships.

Kline said it is unsure when the pilot vessel will be commissioned and when it will begin operating the ammonia-fuelled bulk carriers. The companies are also currently unsure how much ammonia will be needed for voyages.

MAN Energy Solutions and Mitsui E&S will develop the ammonia-fuelled engine, Nihon Shipyard will build the vessel, while Itochu, Kline and NS United Kaiun will manage the ship to collect operating data. Itochu will also be in charge of sharing ammonia supply chain-related information.

Japanese shipping firm NYK Line, engine developers IHI Power Systems and Japan Engine, Nihon Shipyard and Japanese classification society Class NK are also attempting to build an ammonia-fuelled ammonia carrier, targeting a commissioning in 2026.

By Nanami Oki