NYK Line, Nihon Shipyard and ClassNK have signed an MOU with Yara International (Yara) to jointly study the practical application of an ammonia-fuelled ammonia gas carrier (AFAGC) that uses ammonia as its main fuel. The project will also research possibility of realising zero emissions by utilising CO2-free hydrogen as a raw material for ammonia.

The project is part of joint R&D for the practical application of the world’s first AFAGC, which NYK Line, Nihon Shipyard, and ClassNK have been operating since August 2020. The AFAGC contributes to the reduction of CO2 emissions from ships by using ammonia as the main fuel and is expected to achieve zero emissions from ocean-going ships at an early stage by using ammonia as a marine fuel. It will also contribute to the establishment of a stable and economical supply chain for ammonia, for which demand is expected to grow in the future.

With the signing of the MOU with Yara, the Japanese trio will now proceed with studies based on more specific operational requirements, including ship design and development, by studying operational methods and regulatory compliance, and evaluating economic efficiency.