The world’s first commercial ammonia-fueled tugboat, Sakigake, has successfully completed a three-month demonstration voyage, achieving a significant GHG emission reduction of up to approximately 95%.
According to NYK, during the demonstration in Tokyo Bay, the vessel, operated by Shin-Nippon Kaiyosha, performed tugboat operations while confirming ammonia co-firing and GHG reduction rates consistently above 90%, reaching up to 95%. The ammonia co-firing rate during the operation varied from 91.1% to 95.2%, while the GHG reduction rate ranged from 90.3% to 94.4% when compared to using heavy fuel oil.
Looking ahead, Sakigake will continue its tugboat operations in Tokyo Bay, and NYK will keep gathering data to further refine ammonia-fueled vessel technology. Additionally, NYK, Japan Engine Corporation, IPS, and Nippon Shipyard Co., Ltd. are working on developing an ammonia-fueled ammonia gas carrier, set for delivery in November 2026.
The vessel, developed by Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK) and IHI Power Systems Co., Ltd. (IPS) in collaboration with Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK), was completed in August 2024 as part of Japan’s Green Innovation Fund Project under NEDO (New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization).
A ceremony held at Yokohama port celebrated the successful completion of the project, with notable figures like former Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide and other government officials in attendance.
