Japanese shipping giant MOL is joining forces with Namura Shipbuilding and Mitsubishi Shipbuilding to develop a large ammonia carrier that will also run on ammonia.
MOL has this year revealed several deals for ammonia and it recently signed a memorandum of understanding with MAN Energy Solutions and Mitsui E&S Machinery for an ammonia-fueled main engine.
The firm expects great demand in the future for ammonia as a “next-generation clean energy source that emits no carbon dioxide (CO2) during combustion,” it said in a statement on Thursday.
According to MOL, annual ammonia demand in Japan could reach 3 million tons by the year 2030, and 30 million by 2050.
To meet this increased demand, MOL and its partner would develop the large-size ammonia carrier, it said.
In addition, MOL said it would 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.
The jointly developed large-size ammonia carrier would adopt an ammonia-fueled main engine to promote reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from MOL-operated vessels, the firm said.