Japanese companies to build four ammonia-fuelled car carriers by 2030

Seven Japanese companies, including NYK, K Line, JERA, and Imabari Shipbuilding, have announced a collaborative project to build four ammonia-fuelled car carriers and establish a green ammonia supply chain. The vessels are scheduled for completion by 2030 and will feature dual-fuel engines capable of trans-Pacific voyages using ammonia alone.

The initiative aims to decarbonize the shipping industry by utilizing green ammonia, which produces no carbon dioxide when burned. The project will center on Japan's Chubu region, with JERA developing ship-loading facilities at the Hekinan Thermal Power Station. To support operations, Kyokuyo Shipyard will construct a dedicated bunkering vessel, and a joint venture between K Line and NYK will manage fuel sales through ship-to-ship bunkering at the ports of Nagoya and Mikawa.

To secure fuel, JERA has signed a binding agreement with AM Green to procure approximately 70,000 tonnes of green ammonia annually for five years, sourced from a plant in Kakinada, India. The project involves a partnership between traditionally competitive entities, including Shin Kurushima Dockyard, Nihon Shipyard, and Imabari Shipbuilding, to prioritize maritime net-zero goals over market share competition.