The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism is in the process of finalising new guidelines for the safe importation of hydrogen and ammonia into Japan. The guidelines will identify key legislative considerations, outline key design and process considerations, and act as a useful starting point for relevant stakeholders to plan for new energy imports.
BASF’s new 72-stack electrolyser will produce about 8,000 tons per year of renewable hydrogen for use as a feedstock in the company’s production facilities.
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.
MHI has joined the Clean Energy Precinct project in Newcastle, Australia, and will leverage its experience developing the Takasago Hydrogen Park in Japan. Located adjacent to the world’s largest coal port, the Clean Energy Precinct will feature “production, storage, distribution and export” facilities, focused on electrolytic hydrogen and ammonia.
The pair will collaborate to link North Ammonia’s planned production sites in Norway with demand in Europe, via deployment of Höegh’s under-development floating ammonia cracker.
Already in 2025, we have seen multiple initiatives launched and resources released to contribute to seafarer training ahead of the first ammonia-fueled vessels. Here, we explore the IMO’s first training guidelines, a new bunker training facility in India, and a safe procedures manual for ammonia bunkering developed by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners.
The Energy Bureau of Inner Mongolia has released plans for a common-user hydrogen pipeline infrastructure network throughout the region. This will support development of a series of renewable ammonia projects, and adds to the growing list of hydrogen pipeline projects across China. To transport the ammonia to key future demand centres (such as power plants and ports), ammonia pipelines may be the next step.
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.
In recent months, project developments include completion of pre-FEED work, as well as partnerships to explore options for the delivery of ammonia to both export and bunkering vessels, long-term gas feedstock supply, and shared carbon dioxide pipeline infrastructure.
To explore wind-based renewable ammonia production in Nova Scotia and lessons learned from the recently-finished FEED study for the Point Tupper project, EverWind Fuels and Black & Veatch joined Project Features this month. Discussion included a detailed breakdown of the lessons learned designing flexible hydrogen and ammonia production plants.