JERA accomplishes world’s first truck-to-ship bunkering of ammonia fuel
JERA Co. Inc. said it has conducted the world’s first (as of July 17, as researched by NYK Line) truck-to-ship bunkering of fuel ammonia, to an ammonia-fueled tugboat (A-Tug) owned by NYK Line that is scheduled to be completed in late August 2024. One method of bunkering fuel, the truck-to-ship method involves supplying fuel from a tanker truck to a ship through a flexible hose
The bunkering of fuel ammonia took place at Yokohama Port’s Honmoku Pier with the cooperation of the Yokohama City Port and Harbor Bureau and under the fuel supply agreement that JERA concluded with NYK on 27 May 2024. The bunkered fuel ammonia was produced by Resonac Corp. at its Kawasaki Plant in part using waste plastic as a raw material, and the same fuel ammonia will also be used going forward for the A-Tug’s sea trial. After the A-Tug is completed, JERA will supply fuel ammonia to its operator, Shin-Nippon Kaiyosha Corp.
Because ammonia is toxic and adequate safety measures are required when handling it, repeated discussions were held with stakeholders such as NYK and Resonac in the lead-up to the bunkering. Specifically, safe handling methods were established for fuel ammonia, a system was developed for safely transporting it to and receiving it at the port area, and safety measures were formulated to be implemented in the event of a leak.
Under JERA Zero CO2 Emissions 2050, as the company seeks to achieve net-zero CO2 emissions from domestic and overseas business operations by 2050, the company is moving forward with the establishment of hydrogen and ammonia supply chains. The bunkering of fuel ammonia to ships is its first example of a decarbonization solution that extends beyond the power generation sector to use in other industrial sectors (multi-purpose). As a pioneer in fuel ammonia, JERA will continue to contribute to its adoption beyond the power generation industry.
In addition, the use of ammonia, which emits no CO2 when burned, as marine fuel enables a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions while at sea compared to conventional fuels. The company belives this will make a significant contribution to achieving zero-emissions shipping in the future.
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