The Japanese are making notable strides in developing ammonia propulsion.
NYK Line, IHI Power Systems, Nihon Shipyard, Japan Engine Corporation, and ClassNK have announced today that the world’s first four-stroke ammonia-fuelled engine has successfully completed a land-based test for the stable combustion of ammonia having an 80% co-firing ratio as part of a demonstration project for the commercialisation of vessels equipped with a domestically produced ammonia-fuelled engine.
In April this year, IHI Power Systems commenced operational tests at its Ota plant on a 280 mm bore four-stroke ammonia-fuelled marine engine for the main engine of a tug.
The tests also confirmed that emissions of dinitrogen monoxide (N2O), which has a greenhouse effect about 300 times greater than carbon dioxide (CO2), and unburnt ammonia were virtually zero, and there was no ammonia leakage from all demonstration equipment during operation and after shutdown.
The engine will now be installed on a tug, which will be completed in June next year.
Furthermore, based on this research and development for domestic vessels, efforts will be made to develop a 250 mm bore engine for the auxiliary engine of an ocean-going vessel. That auxiliary engine will be installed on an ammonia-fuelled ammonia gas carrier scheduled for delivery in October 2026.
