NYK LINE and 6 other companies announced that they will jointly build and operate 4 ammonia-fuelled car carriers, with the aim of establishing an integrated supply chain covering everything from energy procurement to vessel operations.
NYK LINE <9101>, JERA (Tokyo), Imabari Shipbuilding (Imabari, Ehime Prefecture) and 4 other companies have announced plans to jointly build and operate 4 car carriers powered by ammonia. According to sources familiar with the matter, the aim is to develop a supply network for ammonia, which is attracting attention as a fuel with lower CO2 emissions.
At the same time, the companies have indicated a policy of strengthening efforts to promote the use of ammonia fuel by establishing a system to manage the entire process, from energy procurement through actual vessel operations. Details of the specific operating schedule and investment scale are expected to be disclosed in future formal announcements.
The project can be viewed as part of the broader movement to position ammonia as a key potential fuel in efforts to decarbonise. While collaboration among the 7 companies could help develop the supply chain as a whole and accelerate technological development, challenges before commercialisation and the need to address regulatory requirements remain matters for further consideration.