Two new Bills make up a “hydrogen promotion” package submitted to the Japanese parliament. The “Hydrogen Society Promotion Bill”, sets up a framework for awarding subsidies under the GX bonds scheme (a contracts-for-difference program), while the “CCS Business Bill” sets out permitting and monitoring requirements for domestic CCS projects in Japan.
An NYK-led consortium, which includes Japan Engine Corporation, IHI Power Systems and Nihon Shipyard, has announced that a construction contract has been signed with Japan Marine United to build its 40,000 m3 ammonia-fueled medium gas carrier (AFMGC) in Ariake. The vessel is due to be delivered in November 2026.
In marine ammonia news to begin 2024, we explore a volume-efficient, “prismatic” ammonia fuel tank design, a new long-term charter for ammonia shipping in the Pacific region, and two global gas exporters ordering ammonia-capable carriers for their fleets.
GE Vernova and IHI Corporation will proceed to the engineering and testing phase for their ammonia gas turbine roadmap for Asia. Based on their efforts in 2022 to demonstrate a low-N2O combustor for a 2 MW, 100% ammonia-fired turbine, IHI will lead development of a two-stage combustor for larger-scale gas turbine models.
ACME and IHI have signed an offtake agreement for the supply of renewable ammonia from the pair’s under-development production plant in Odisha, eastern India. On a long-term basis, 400,000 tons per year will be transported, with production to begin in 2027. A number of other Indian production projects were launched this month.
MAN Energy Solutions has announced that the first SCR catalytic converter for a marine ammonia engine has passed factory tests and been delivered to Japan. Produced in China by stainless steel specialists BUTTING, the unit is designed to significantly reduce NOx emissions from ammonia combustion engines.
MHI has successfully combustion-tested its ammonia single-fuel burners. The tests confirmed that the burners are capable of complete and stable combustion, producing reduced NOx emissions relative to coal firing. The test will now be run at a larger scale to simulate actual operations.
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore and six Japanese ports will establish a “Green and Digital Shipping Corridor” between the two countries. The partners will embark on pilot projects and trials for alternative maritime fuels including ammonia, and work together to develop the necessary bunkering infrastructure, regulatory & training standards.
To power its global HQ and key manufacturing complex in Hiroshima, Mazda plans to completely substitute the fuel supply at MCM Energy Service coal power plant away from coal by 2035, enabling “power generation based solely on the combustion of liquid ammonia”. The fuel switch is part of a broader strategy to achieve carbon neutrality across global operations by 2035.
