Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. announced an agreement on the joint development of a large-size ammonia carrier—also powered by ammonia fuel—with Namura Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. (President: Kensuke Namura; Headquarters: Osaka-shi, Osaka) and Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. (President: Toru Kitamura; Headquarters: Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa).

Currently, ammonia is used mainly as a raw material for fertilizer, but its maritime transport volume is limited. However, it is expected to be in a great demand in the future as a next-generation clean energy source that emits no carbon dioxide (CO₂) during combustion, mainly for use in mixed combustion at coal thermal power plants and for use as a hydrogen carrier. Ammonia is also positioned as an important option to achieve carbon neutrality. Annual demand in Japan is estimated at 3 million tons by the year 2030, and 30 million by 2050.

To meet this increased demand, MOL will develop a large-size ammonia carrier and contribute to a decarbonized society by offering safe, high-quality, and reliable transport of this clean energy resource.

In addition, ammonia has great promise as a vessel fuel. MOL will push ahead with efforts to shift to ammonia as a vessel fuel, with the aim of deploying net zero emissions ocean-going vessels in the 2020s and achieving net zero GHG emissions by 2050, which are stated in the “MOL Group Environmental Vision 2.1 ^{(Note 1)}.”

MOL will establish a collaborative framework with each company to order the ship’s main engine ^{(Note 2)}, currently in development, which uses ammonia as its main fuel, with the goal of introducing it as quickly as possible.

The jointly developed large-size ammonia carrier will adopt an ammonia-fueled main engine to promote reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from MOL-operated vessels.

The MOL Group contributes to customers’ efforts on decarbonization, and seeks to commercialize innovative environmental technologies and achieve a carbon neutral society by promoting decarbonization in its business activities.