NYK has supplied ammonia to the NYK-owned ammonia-fuelled tugboat ‘A-Tug’, which is scheduled to become the world’s first commercial ammonia-fuelled vessel when finally completed at the end of August 2024.
The fuelling was completed at the port of Yokohama by truck-to-ship bunkering, which NYK believes is the first time such a vessel has been fuelled using this method.
This fuel ammonia replenishment was conducted at the Honmoku Wharf of the port of Yokohama under a fuel-supply agreement that NYK concluded with JERA in May 2024, with the cooperation of the city of Yokohama’s Port and Harbour Bureau. The fuel, known as Ecoann, is produced by Resonac Corporation at the company’s Kawasaki plant partially using recycled plastics as one of the fuel’s raw materials. Ecoann is considered one of the most environmentally friendly types of fuel ammonia and will be used for the sea trials of the A-Tug, which is undergoing modification at the NYK Group’s Keihin Dock. After the vessel’s delivery, the charterer, Shin Nippon Kaiyosha, will be supplied with fuel ammonia by JERA.
According to NYK, ammonia is attracting attention as a next-generation fuel that contributes to the fight against global warming because it does not emit CO2 when combusted. However, due to its toxicity, adequate safety measures must be taken during replenishment. Prior to this fuelling, NYK held numerous discussions with JERA, Resonac, and other related parties to establish safe operational methods related to fuelling and a safe transportation and acceptance system to the port area.
Based on the knowledge gained through successful fuel-ammonia bunkering, NYK is contributing to reducing environmental impact by promoting the use of next-generation fuels in the shipping industry.
Image: Bunkering A-tug ‘Sakigake’ from road tanker (source: NYK)
