A tugboat converted to use ammonia as fuel has demonstrated its commercial viability in a three-month Japanese trial
NYK Group has operated a vessel on ammonia fuel after its retrofit to test the zero-emissions technology in 2024.
Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK) has completed three months of demonstration voyages of Sakigake, its first commercial-use ammonia-fuelled vessel in Japan. During that time, its subsidiary Shin-Nippon Kaiyosha engaged this vessel in tugboat operations in Tokyo Bay with up to 95% combustion of ammonia in dual-fuel engines.
Sakigake was converted to run on ammonia fuel by NYK and IHI Power Systems (IPS) on 23 August 2024, in co-operation with Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) as part of a green-innovation funded project under Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organisation (NEDO).
During the three-month demonstration voyage, NYK and IPS analysed the ammonia co-firing and reduction rates of greenhouse gas emissions during vessel operations and confirmed them to consistently exceed 90.0%.
At loads of 25%, these IPS engines achieved an ammonia co-firing rate of 91.0%; 93.4% at 50% loads; and 94.8% at 75% and at 100% it was 95.2%.
“The demonstration tests while in tugboat operations is the world’s first trial, confirming ammonia is one of the most viable and promising options as a next-generation fuel for vessels,” said NYK.
A commemorative ceremony was held at the Port of Yokohama to mark the successful completion of the vessel’s three-month demonstration voyage, which is seen as a milestone in the green-innovation funded project.
Going forward, Shin-Nippon Kaiyosha will continue operating Sakigake on ammonia fuel in Tokyo Bay, enabling NYK to accumulate more knowledge related to the development and operation of ammonia-fuelled vessels and its work towards achieving net-zero emissions in the shipping industry.
NYK is working with Japan Engine Corp, IPS and Nippon Shipyard Co to develop an ammonia-fuelled ammonia gas carrier, which is scheduled to be delivered in November 2026, also as part of NEDO’s green-innovation funded project.
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