An R&D project is being launched to develop the world’s
first ammonia-fueled commercial tugboat. The project, which will be undertaken
in Japan, is the latest effort to develop what is widely viewed as the next
generation of marine fuel systems. The introduction of ammonia for marine fuel
is highly expected as a practical solution for decarbonization in the shipping
sector.
The interest in ammonia comes from the fact that it does not
produce harmful greenhouse gasses when burned. Unlike the current fuel sources
in use, when ammonia carbon dioxide is burned it does not discharge CO2. In
addition, there is a method of production of ammonia from hydrogen that
produces ammonia without CO2 that is expected to become an energy source. The ability
to become emissions-free is seen as the potential solution to achieve the
International Maritime Organization’s goal of cutting the international
shipping industry’s GHG emissions in half by 2050 and ultimately achieving zero
emissions.
Citing the potential for emission-free operations, Japan’s
Nippon Yusen Kaisha, IHI Motor Co., and Nippon Kaiji Kyokai announced that they
have signed a joint R&D agreement for the commercialization of an ammonia
fuel tugboat. According to the companies, they will proceed with research and
development from both technical and operational perspectives regarding the
introduction of ammonia as a marine fuel for tugs.
Nippon Yusen with be responsible for the research and design
of the hull and fuel supply system while IHI will undertake the R&D of
engines and exhaust gas after treatment. The Japan Maritime Association,
ClassNK, will provide a safety assessment. The joint project envisions the
implementation of ammonia marine fuel in a tugboat that requires high output
and will consolidate the technological and operational requirements necessary
for that purpose.
For the remainder of this year, they will focus on elements
including the technological development for the hull, engines, and fuel supply
systems, as well as the development of safe and secure navigation methods.
After that, based on the evaluation of their results, they anticipate starting
the study for the construction of the ammonia fuel tugboat.
The companies acknowledge that the efforts still need to
prove that it is possible to commercialize marine equipment that uses ammonia
and establish a method for operating this vessel, but they believe that their
R&D will contribute to the decarbonization of international shipping.
They will also be drawing on their previous experience in
developing Japan's first liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel ship. In 2015, they
completed the tugboat Sakigake, Japan's first LNG fueled tugboat which was
built at Keihin Dock Co. and equipped with a dual-fuel engine capable of using
both LNG and heavy oil developed by IHI Engine. Today, it is owned by NYK and
operated by Shin Nihon Kaiyaku Co. in Yokohama and Kawasaki. NYK believes that
it will be able to use the experience it gained in the development and
operation of the Sakigake to verify the operational methods of the envisioned
ammonia fuel tugboat.