Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., a division of the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group, has successfully partnered with Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) and Namura Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. to develop a large ammonia carrier that utilizes ammonia as fuel.
This innovative design has recently received Approval in Principle (AiP) from Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK). The approval stemmed from ClassNK’s extensive review of the basic design drawings and a thorough risk assessment, known as a Hazard Identification Study (HAZID), based on the preliminary design.
Traditionally, ammonia has been primarily used as a fertilizer raw material, resulting in limited marine transportation. However, due to its environmentally friendly attributes—specifically its lack of CO2 emissions during combustion—ammonia is gaining traction as a clean energy source.
Its demand is projected to rise significantly as it emerges as a viable option for achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, particularly in power plants and as a hydrogen carrier. The collaboration resulted in a detailed design that not only aims to use ammonia as the main fuel source, reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the vessel, but also enhances marine transport efficiency.
This new ammonia carrier is designed to be larger than existing Very Large Gas Carriers (VLGCs) and Very Large Ammonia Carriers (VLACs), while complying with port entry restrictions at major Japanese power plants and ensuring compatibility with ammonia loading and unloading terminals. MHI Group is committed to strengthening its energy transition portfolio, with Mitsubishi Shipbuilding playing a pivotal role.
The company is focused on maritime engineering technology that meets environmental standards and customer needs, contributing to the development of the shipping industry both in Japan and internationally, while advocating for a decarbonized future.