The Sakigake, the world’s first commercial-use ammonia-fuelled tugboat, has successfully concluded a three-month demonstration voyage in Tokyo Bay, achieving a reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of up to approximately 95%.
Developed collaboratively by Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK) and IHI Power Systems Co., Ltd. (IPS), with cooperation from Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK), the vessel was completed on 23 August 2024 as part of Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization’s (NEDO) Green Innovation Fund Project.
Initiated in October 2021 under NEDO’s Green Innovation Fund Project titled “Development of vessels equipped with domestically produced ammonia-fuelled engines,” the Sakigake was completed in August 2024, marking a significant milestone as the first commercial-use ammonia-fuelled vessel. Following its completion, NYK Group company Shin-Nippon Kaiyosha operated the tugboat in Tokyo Bay over a three-month period.
Analyses conducted by NYK and IPS during the vessel’s operations confirmed that the ammonia co-firing and GHG reduction rates consistently exceeded 90%, reaching approximately 95% across various engine load ranges. This demonstration represents the world’s first trial of its kind, underscoring ammonia’s viability as a next-generation marine fuel
A commemorative ceremony at the Port of Yokohama marked the successful completion of the demonstration voyage, attended by notable figures including former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Akiyoshi Kato, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Yasuhiro Takami, and Yokohama Mayor Takeharu Yamanaka.
The Sakigake will continue its operations in Tokyo Bay as NYK accumulates further knowledge related to the development and operation of ammonia-fuelled vessels. Additionally, NYK, in collaboration with Japan Engine Corporation, IPS, and Nippon Shipyard Co., Ltd., is developing an ammonia-fuelled ammonia gas carrier, scheduled for delivery in November 2026, also under NEDO’s Green Innovation Fund Project.
