Mitsui plans expansion of ammonia engine production to meet projected growth

Mitsui E&S is expanding its ammonia fuel supply system facilities for land-based testing at its Tamano Works in Japan in anticipation of projected growth in demand for marine engines fuelled by ammonia.

Japan’s largest producer of two-stroke, slow-speed marine dual-fuel engines capable of using low-carbon fuels, Mitsui E&S plans to increase its production capabilities for ammonia-fuelled engines, which are expected to become a key zero-emission fuel in the future.

TGE Marine Gas Engineering GmbH, a subsidiary of Mitsui E&S, will supply an ammonia fuel supply system (AFSS) for the expansion at the Tamano Works.

TGE Marine senior sales director, Dieter Hines, explained: “We have been working hard on this project with Mitsui E&S over the last 12 months and are now looking forward to an exciting implementation phase. The new test bench installation at the Tamano plant will enable us to showcase the TGE Ammonia Fuel Supply System to our Japanese customers on site. We are confident that our customers will appreciate the modular skid solutions, which have been designed with a focus on the safe handling of ammonia and the reliability of the fuel supply.”

The gas supply system engineering specialist reported the AFSS is scheduled for delivery in 2028, with commissioning planned for 2029. Mitsui E&S is currently operating an ammonia engine test bench to support testing of the first full-scale Everllence two-stroke, slow-speed ammonia dual-fuel engine. This installation will later be fitted to Japan’s first ammonia-fuelled bulk carrier.

One of the key differentiators in this project from other efforts, said TGE Marine, is that the AFSS is designed as a hybrid system that can support engine technologies from both Everllence and WinGD. This will ensure flexibility and compatibility across a broader range of marine engines.

TGE Marine has delivered or received orders for more than 150 fuel gas systems for LNG, LPG, ethane, and ammonia. It said this initiative will strengthen the company’s position in the Japanese market and create new opportunities for future ammonia projects. Together, Mitsui E&S and TGE Marine will be able to offer integrated solutions that combine main engines and fuel supply systems for various gases - supporting the maritime industry’s shift towards low- and zero-carbon fuels that promote decarbonisation.