NYK Bulkship (Asia) Pte. Ltd., a member of the NYK Group located in Singapore, has signed two heads of agreements with JERA Co., Inc. (“JERA”), each for a time-charter contract covering an ammonia carrier. Under these agreements, both parties will advance plans to transport low-carbon ammonia* produced at JERA’s Blue Point Project** in the U.S. state of Louisiana to JERA’s Hekinan Thermal Power Station in Hekinan City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. This initiative is expected to mark the first commercial shipment of fuel ammonia to Japan.

Beyond its existing applications in fertilizers and chemicals, ammonia is emerging as a next-generation clean energy source, especially valued for its carbon-free combustion. It is expected to be used in various applications, including marine fuel.

The NYK Group has been collaborating with JERA to explore the safe transportation of fuel ammonia by large vessels to its Hekinan Thermal Power Station. With these agreements, efforts toward commercialization will accelerate, supporting a stable supply of low-carbon ammonia and contributing to Japan’s energy transition.

The NYK Group has accumulated extensive expertise in the fields of operation, safety management, and cargo handling for the maritime transport of ammonia.

We continue to advance initiatives to build a value chain for next-generation fuels, including ammonia, through marine transportation.


* Low-carbon ammonia
Under Japan’s Hydrogen Society Promotion Act, ammonia that meets a specified CO₂ emissions threshold during production and contributes to reducing Japan’s CO₂ emissions is defined as low-carbon ammonia. Ammonia used as fuel for power generation or ships is referred to as “fuel ammonia,” and among these, those meeting the low-carbon criteria are classified as low-carbon ammonia.

** Blue Point Project
A low-carbon ammonia production project in the U.S. state of Louisiana for which JERA, together with CF Industries and Mitsui & Co., Ltd., has made a final investment decision.