World's First Commercial Ammonia-Fueled Tugboat Launches in Tokyo Bay

INYK and IHI Power Systems, in collaboration ClassNK, have completed the world’s first ammonia-fueled vessel for commercial use. The tugboat, named Sakigake, was unveiled on on Friday and is set to begin operations in Tokyo Bay for a three-month demonstration period.

The Sakigake is part of a Green Innovation Fund Project initiated in October 2021 by Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO). The project aims to develop vessels equipped with domestically produced ammonia-fueled engines, marking a significant step towards sustainable maritime transportation.

Interestingly, the Sakigake isn’t a new vessel but a converted one. Its predecessor, also named Sakigake, was Japan’s first LNG-fueled vessel, completed in August 2015. After eight years of service, it underwent a transformation at NYK Group’s Keihin Dock Co., where its main engine was replaced with an ammonia-fueled one.

NYK is not stopping at tugboats. The company is currently developing an ammonia-fueled medium gas carrier (AFMGC) in partnership with several Japanese corporations. The vessel is scheduled for delivery in November 2026, further expanding the reach of ammonia-fueled technology in the shipping industry.

As the maritime industry seeks to reduce its carbon footprint, NYK Group’s initiative with the Sakigake marks a significant milestone. The company plans to leverage lessons from this project to promote and expand the use of ammonia-fueled vessels, contributing to the shipping industry’s overall decarbonization efforts.