NYK Bulkship (Asia) Pte. Ltd., a Singapore-based member of the NYK Group, has signed two heads of agreement with JERA Co., Inc. for the time charter of two ammonia carriers, in a move expected to enable Japan’s first commercial shipment of fuel ammonia.
Under the agreements, the companies will progress plans to transport low-carbon ammonia produced at JERA’s Blue Point Project in Louisiana, United States, to the Hekinan Thermal Power Station. The initiative is intended to support the use of ammonia as a clean fuel in thermal power generation and marks a milestone in the development of ammonia supply chains linking the US and Japan.
Ammonia, widely used today in fertilisers and chemical production, is increasingly being positioned as a next-generation energy carrier due to its carbon-free combustion characteristics. In addition to power generation, it is also being explored as a future marine fuel as the shipping and energy sectors seek pathways to decarbonisation.
The NYK Group and JERA have been collaborating on the safe transportation of fuel ammonia using large-scale vessels to Hekinan, one of Japan’s largest coal-fired power stations. The latest agreements are expected to accelerate commercialisation efforts, contributing to a stable supply of low-carbon ammonia and supporting Japan’s energy transition.
NYK said it has accumulated extensive experience in the maritime transport of ammonia, including vessel operations, safety management and cargo handling, and will continue advancing initiatives to build maritime value chains for next-generation fuels such as ammonia.
