A Japanese consortium led by NYK Line has completed the first ship-to-ship ammonia bunkering to an ammonia-fueled vessel, advancing efforts to establish the fuel as a viable zero-carbon alternative for shipping. The operation on September 17 saw ammonia transferred from the 998gt carrier Shoei Maru to a newbuild ammonia-fueled medium gas carrier at Japan Marine United’s Ariake Shipyard, with the receiving vessel undergoing final preparations for sea trials ahead of its November 2026 delivery. Partners in the project include Japan Marine United, Nihon Shipyard, Mitsubishi Gas Chemical and Kokuka Sangyo, working under Japan’s Green Innovation Fund administered by NEDO.
While ammonia emits no CO2 during combustion, its toxicity has complicated efforts to develop safe handling procedures, and the consortium spent months developing protocols before attempting the transfer. The ship-to-ship method directly supplies fuel by connecting a bunkering vessel and receiving vessel through transfer hoses, and the companies established operating procedures and work processes following discussions before the operation, with the fuel transfer completed safely, according to NYK Line. The project builds on NYK’s earlier experience with the tug Sakigake, converted in 2024 into what the company described as the world’s first commercial ammonia-fuelled vessel, which had previously been refuelled only via truck-to-ship bunkering.
Source: Seatrade Maritime News — https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/bunkering/world-s-first-ammonia-ship-to-ship-bunkering-completed-in-japan
Tags: Ammonia, NYK Line, Decarbonization, Bunkering
