Japan Launches World’s First Commercial Ammonia-Powered Ship Engine

Key Takeaways

1. Japan Engine Corporation (J-ENG) has developed the world’s first full-scale dual-fuel ammonia engine to support carbon neutrality in shipping by 2050.
2. The engine demonstrated superior environmental performance, outperforming traditional heavy oil engines with a 95% ammonia co-firing rate during testing.
3. Development included over 1,000 hours of testing on a prototype and 700 hours on the full-scale engine, earning certification from ClassNK.
4. The engine will be installed on a new Ammonia-Fueled Medium Gas Carrier (AFMGC) scheduled for delivery in October 2025, with commercial operations expected to start in 2026.
5. J-ENG is planning to build a new factory to increase production, with operations set to begin in 2028.

Japan Engine Corporation (J-ENG) made a big announcement yesterday, sharing that they have finished building the world’s first full-scale dual-fuel ammonia engine. This engine is part of the Next-Generation Ship Development project which is funded by Japan’s Green Innovation Fund. The project is designed to help the shipping industry reach carbon neutrality by the year 2050.

Engine Performance Details

The press release highlighted that the new engine has shown remarkable environmental performance during official testing. J-ENG stated that when running at full capacity with a 95% ammonia co-firing rate, the engine performed significantly better than traditional heavy oil engines.

Development and Certification

J-ENG attributes this achievement to a careful and long-term development process that involved over 1,000 hours of testing on a single-cylinder prototype and 700 hours on the full-scale engine. The engine received certification from ClassNK after rigorous tests that took place in late August, overseen by Nippon Yusen Kaisya (NYK Line), Nihon Shipyard Co. Ltd. (NSY), Japan Marine United Corporation (JMU), and Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK).

Future Plans

The engine is set to be delivered in October 2025 for installation on a new Ammonia-Fueled Medium Gas Carrier (AFMGC) that is still being built. This vessel is expected to start commercial operations by 2026, marking the first time a full-scale ammonia engine will be in use. To prepare for future demand, J-ENG is also building a new factory to increase production of these engines, with the new site planned to begin operations in 2028.

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