NYK presses world’s first ammonia-fuelled tugboat into action – Splash247

Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) has debuted what it claims is the the world’s first commercial-use ammonia-fuelled vessel. 

The Sakigake tugboat was retrofitted from an LNG-fuelled vessel to an ammonia one and will now operate in Tokyo Bay leapfrogging ahead of the Fortescue Green Pioneer, a platform supply vessel, which Australian miner Fortescue has developed. 

The Fortescue Green Pioneer has a converted four-stroke engine but is yet to enter commercial use. 

Earlier this week, NYK revealed it had reached a basic agreement with three other partners for the marine transport of green ammonia from India to Japan.

NYK has partnered with Kyushu Electric Power Company, Sojitz Corporation, and a wholly owned subsidiary of Sembcorp Industries, Sembcorp Green Hydrogen.

Clarksons’ data shows a combined ammonia-ready fleet and orderbook at about 430 ships.