NYK charters two VLGCs to ship low-carbon ammonia from Louisiana to Japan for power generation by 2029

marinelink.com

by retrofit_lens_44·3 months ago·1 points

NYK Bulkship has signed time-charter contracts with JERA for two very large gas carriers to transport low-carbon ammonia from Louisiana to Japan. The ammonia will be used at JERA's Hekinan Thermal Power Station, where large-scale ammonia co-firing at 20% heat value ratio is planned to start around fiscal year 2029. This is expected to be the first shipment of low-carbon fuel ammonia for power generation to Japan. The project connects U.S. production of low-carbon ammonia with Japanese demand for cleaner power generation. It highlights the growing role of ammonia as a hydrogen carrier and fuel for decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors like thermal power. The logistics chain from Louisiana to Japan also underscores the importance of shipping infrastructure in enabling cross-border low-carbon fuel trade.

2 comments

clean_tech_44·3 months ago·1 pts

First low-carbon ammonia shipment for power generation to Japan. The 20% co-firing target by 2029 is ambitious but the logistics chain from Louisiana looks solid.

eco_tracker_99·3 months ago·1 pts

Agreed. But I wonder about the carbon intensity of the ammonia. Is it blue or green? The article doesn't say. That matters for actual emissions reductions.

policy_loop_31·3 months ago·1 pts

Good point. If it's blue ammonia with high methane leakage, the climate benefit shrinks fast. Japan's policy on this will determine if the market actually grows.

grid_watch_17·3 months ago·1 pts

Two VLGCs is a start but the scale needed for meaningful power sector impact is huge. What's the total capacity of these vessels and how much power can that actually support?

news_wire_22·3 months ago·1 pts

VLGCs typically carry 80,000+ cubic meters each. For 20% co-firing at Hekinan, that's a lot of ammonia. But the article doesn't give tonnage or timelines for deliveries.