This development aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from marine transportation and meet the rising demand for ammonia in industries such as power generation and marine fuels.
The project is a result of a collaborative study between Yara Clean Ammonia, a subsidiary of Yara International, and NYK that began in 2021. The vessel's design includes an overall length of 180 meters, a breadth of 32 meters, and a molded depth of 18.45 meters. This type of carrier is commonly used in global ammonia transportation.
Murali Srinivasan, Senior Vice President Commercial at Yara Clean Ammonia, highlighted the importance of the vessel in complying with upcoming emissions regulations. He noted that this new carrier would help maintain low carbon intensity across the company’s supply chain.
NYK, which aims to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050, sees ammonia-fueled vessels as key to reaching that goal. Hironobu Watanabe, Managing Executive Officer at NYK, emphasized that the company has been investing in alternative fuels since the launch of its ‘NYK Group Decarbonization Story’ in November 2023.
According to Csaba Laszlo, Vice President of Ammonia Trade & Shipping at Yara Clean Ammonia, the charter agreement offers flexibility to manage carbon emissions and improve operational efficiency with new technologies.
This partnership between Yara Clean Ammonia and NYK is part of a broader effort to establish a global ammonia supply chain to support the maritime industry's transition to cleaner energy sources. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has set targets for a 40% reduction in carbon intensity by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050.
However, significant challenges remain for the widespread use of ammonia as a marine fuel, including safety concerns, seafarer training, enhanced fuel systems, and handling of ammonia’s toxic properties.
