Press Release

World's First Environmental Value Created through Operation of NYK Ammonia-fueled Tugboat

Expanding the environmental contribution potential of fuel ammonia

Shin Nippon Kaiyosha obtained third-party certification on 25th September, 2025 for the environmental value1 representing the quantified greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduced through the towage services2 provided by the ammonia-fueled tugboat Sakigake (the “vessel”).

This certified environmental value can be allocated to purchasers through the Book & Claim method3 and is expected to contribute to the reduction of Scope 3 emissions4 by transportation service users in the future. This is the world’s first instance that environmental value derived through the operation of an ammonia-fueled vessel has received third-party validation.

Selected in October 2021 as part of NEDO's5 Green Innovation Fund project, “Developmentof ships withammonia fueled domestic engines”, Sakigake is the world's first ammonia-fueled vessel developed for commercial use. The vessel is fueled by low-environmental-impact ammonia “ECOANN,”6 manufactured by Resonac Corporation and provided by JERA Co., Ltd. Since its completion in August 2024, Sakigake has been providing safe and low-carbon tugboat services in Yokohama port.

GHG emissions from cargo transportation are commonly classified as Scope 3 for transport service users, requiring collaboration across the entire supply chain to reduce them. By visualizing GHG reductions in the shipping industry, this initiative paves the way for future Scope 3 emission reductions by shippers and consideration of additional GHG reduction measures, further expanding the potential environmental contribution of ammonia as a marine fuel.

Moving forward, NYK will continue to focus on developing a fuel ammonia value chain and advancing decarbonization within the shipping and marine industries. This commitment includes the development of the ammonia-fueled medium gas carrier (AFMGC), scheduled for completion in November 2026, that NYK is developing in collaboration with others.



1 Value obtained by quantitatively evaluating and certifying reduced GHG emissions, treated as tradable credits.
2 Operations by tugboats assisting large vessels during berthing and unberthing.
3 A system where GHG reduction amounts from services using low-carbon fuels are third-party certified (Book), the reduction value is allocated to purchasers, and purchasers can claim it as their own emissions reduction (Claim).
4 Indirect GHG emissions across a company's entire supply chain, including those occurring outside the company's activities, such as raw material procurement, product transportation, use, and disposal.
5 New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization.
6 Environmentally harmonized ammonia produced by Resonac Co., Ltd. using post-consumer plastics as part of the raw materials, contributing to waste reduction and the establishment of a circular economy.

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