Adding terminal storage capabilities to its fleet of marine transportation and logistics fleet, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines has acquired LBC Tank Terminals. LBC is currently inviting expressions of interest for its Vlissingen ammonia storage and cracking terminal, which is set to become operational in 2028.
In 2025, the pieces are rapidly assembling to enable and accelerate imports of ammonia energy to Japan. This year, government agency METI is due to announce two lots of key funding, including contracts for difference subsidies and development of import infrastructure. Power generation technologies will be commercialised within the next few years, and more maritime players are joining the push to deploy ammonia fuel in Japanese ships.
To explore the interim fuel guidelines and discuss their implications, we were joined by the IMO and Lloyd’s Register. Properly applied, the new fuel guidelines will ensure that ammonia systems achieve safety standards comparable to those of LNG or other alternative fuel systems, with special provisions made to ensure that ammonia’s hazards are effectively managed well within acceptable risk thresholds.
Madoqua and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines will lead development of the corridor. Industry partners in the consortium include financiers, terminal operators, Port authorities, alternative fuel producers and offtakers. The transportation of liquified CO2 along the corridor will help establish a supply chain for sequestration of carbon emissions in Norway at Horisont Energi’s Gismarvik CO2 hub.
Energy storage provider VTTI is currently receiving expressions of interest from stakeholders for capacity reservation and allocation for both ammonia storage and cracking. VTTI is planning two ammonia import terminals in Rotterdam and Antwerp as part of Project Amplifhy.
The IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee has approved interim guidelines for the use of ammonia fuel onboard vessels. Ship owners will also be able to voluntarily adopt code changes allowing the use of ammonia cargo as fuel, ahead of their entry into force next July. To unpack the new guidelines, the AEA will host the IMO and Lloyd’s Register at a public webinar in January.
LBC Tank Terminals has completed a 100% share acquisition of Evolution Terminals, including plans to develop a new renewable commodities import terminal in Vlissingen, Netherlands. The new terminal features an initial phase of 150,000m3, and is expected to be operational at the end of 2028.
Meet the IMO to unpack the recently-approved interim guidelines for ammonia as a marine fuel. Ahead of the first ammonia-fueled vessels hitting the water in 2026, we learn about the development process at the IMO, what content the guidelines have, and will answer questions from the global shipping stakeholders.
Japan Engine Corporation (J-ENG) announced that it has completed test operations on its low-speed, 2-stroke engine, with installation and subsequent trial operations due to begin in April 2025. Installation will be onboard one of the first ammonia-fueled vessels to hit the water: the NYK-led midsized gas carrier project.
Idemitsu and Mitsubishi Corporation are developing ammonia handling terminals in Japan to meet the production capacity of overseas projects, such as the million-ton-per-year Baytown project led by Exxon.