NYK Concluded contract for modification of ammonia-fueled tugboat
LNG-fueled tugboat "Sakigake" modified to ammonia-fueled specifications.
NYK has signed a contract with Keihin Dock Co., Ltd., a NYK Group company, to modify an ammonia-fueled tugboat. The LNG (liquefied natural gas) fueled tugboat “Sakigake” operated in Tokyo Bay by Shin Nihon Kaisha, Ltd., which is also a member of our group, will be converted to ammonia fuel specifications, aiming for completion in 2024.
In October 2021, two companies, Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha and IHI Power Systems Co., Ltd., will be selected for the Green Innovation Fund Project (Note 1) of the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), a national research and development agency. This is being carried out as part of the "Development of a ship equipped with an ammonia-fueled domestic engine" that I received. Since ammonia does not emit carbon dioxide ( CO 2 ) when burned, it is expected to be a next-generation fuel that contributes to global warming countermeasures . It is said that it is possible to achieve zero emissions by taking into consideration the life cycle of the fuel. By using ammonia as fuel for ships, it is possible to significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions during voyages. The two power companies are promoting research and development with the aim of early social implementation. During the development, there were various design issues when using ammonia as fuel, but both companies overcame them without changing the size of the conventional hull, and in July 2022, ClassNK will join the class. It has received the Preliminary Design Approval (AiP). In the future, we will start remodeling work in 2023 and work toward the realization of demonstration operations at Yokohama Port in 2024.
Overview of LNG-fueled tugboat “Sakigake”
Length: 37.20m Breadth: 10.20m
Depth: 4.40m
Gross tonnage: 272 tons
Owner: NYK Line Flag: Japan
LNG-fueled tugboat “Sakigake”
Image of ammonia-fueled tugboat
(From left) Keihin Dock Co., Ltd. Toshiya Ozawa, President and CEO Nippon Yusen Co., Ltd. Tsutomu Yokoyama, Group Manager, Green Business Group