Tokyo, July 17, 2024 — NYK (Nippon Yusen Kaisha) and JERA, Japan’s largest power generation company, announced their successful supply of marine ammonia fuel via the world’s first “truck-to-ship” method at the Port of Yokohama. This fuel will be used for sea trials of an ammonia-fueled tugboat currently being retrofitted at the Keihin Dock Oppama Factory in Kanagawa Prefecture. Through the expertise and experience gained from this supply operation, NYK aims to pioneer the use of ammonia as a marine fuel in the shipping industry to reduce environmental impact.
JERA was established in 2015 as a joint venture, with Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (TEPCO) and Chubu Electric Power each holding a 50% stake. The name JERA stands for Japan’s Energy for a New Era.
The truck-to-ship method used for this supply involves transferring fuel from a tanker truck to the ship via a flexible hose. This method was employed under a fuel supply agreement between NYK and JERA, signed in late May 2024, and was executed at the Honmoku Pier in Yokohama.
The ammonia fuel supplied, branded as “ECOANN,” is produced by Resonac Corporation at its Kawasaki plant. ECOANN incorporates recycled plastics as part of its raw materials, emphasizing its environmentally friendly production process. The tugboat, set to become the world’s first commercial ammonia-fueled vessel, is expected to be delivered in late August 2024. Once operational, it will receive ammonia fuel from JERA, under the management of Shin-Nippon Kaiyosha, headquartered in Yokohama.
Ammonia is gaining attention as a next-generation fuel because it does not emit carbon dioxide (CO2) when burned, making it a promising solution for combating global warming. However, due to its toxicity, rigorous safety measures are required during refueling. Prior to this supply, NYK engaged in extensive consultations with JERA, Resonac, and other stakeholders to establish safe handling and transport procedures for ammonia fuel within port areas.
This pioneering initiative marks a significant step towards the sustainable use of ammonia as a marine fuel, setting a precedent for future advancements in the shipping industry’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint.
★日本郵船とＪＥＲＡは舶用アンモニア燃料の供給に成功した
日本郵船（本社・東京千代田区）と日本の発電事業者として最大手のＪＥＲＡ（本社・東京都中央区）は２０２４年７月17日、横浜港で世界初の「トラック・ツー・シップ方式」による船舶用のアンモニア燃料の供給に成功したと発表した。日本郵船が保有し、京浜ドック追浜工場（Keihin Dock Oppama Factory,神奈川県）で改造工事中のアンモニア燃料タグボートの海上試運転に使用する。日本郵船は今回の供給を通じて得た技術力や経験を基に、海運業界における燃料アンモニア利用のパイオニアとして環境負荷低減を目指す方針だ。
JERAは２０１５年に東京電力(Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings)グループの東京電力フュエル&パワー( TEPCO Fuel & Power) 50％ 、中部電力（Chubu Electric Power Company） 50％を出資した電力会社。JERAの社名の由来は、日本（ J APAN ）の エネルギー（ E NERGY ）を 新しい時代（ E RA ）へという意味になる。
