Ihi News

Japan Takes the Lead on Ammonia as Maritime Fuel

Late last year Japanese maritime leaders – Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK), Japan Engine Corporation, IHI Power Systems Co., and Nihon Shipyard Co., Ltd. – signed a series of contracts to buid the world's first ammonia-fueled medium gas carrier (AFMGC) equipped with Japan-make engines. The target is a completed ship by November 2026.While the project is significant, hurdles remain, namely:While development work is underway, today there is not yet a dual-fuel ammonia engine on the market…

WinGD Adds Mitsui E&S Tamano Factory to Engine Building Network

WinGD has concluded an agreement with Mitsui E&S Diesel United (MESDU), part of the Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding group, that will see WinGD engines being built at its main Tamano works for the first time.The agreement adds considerable engine building capacity and enables WinGD to meet growing demand in a leading shipbuilding market with a reputation for delivering sophisticated, high-quality vessels.WinGD engines have previously been built only at the company’s Aioi Factory, which was acquired from IHI Group when the Diesel United business was sold to Mitsui E&S earlier this year.

IHI, Vopak Ink Agreement to Develop Ammonia Terminals

Dutch tank storage company Vopak has signed an initial agreement with Japan's IHI Corporation to explore the development and operation of ammonia terminals, as they expect demand for the low-carbon fuel to grow amid energy transition.The companies will lean on their experience in building ammonia storage tanks and terminals to focus on developing large-scale ammonia storage terminals that will allow for economical distribution of the fuel, the companies said in a joint statement on Tuesday.They…

AiP for Ammonia Floating Storage and Regasification Barge (A-FSRB)

ClassNK issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for an ammonia floating storage and regasification barge (A-FSRB) jointly developed by NYK Line, Nihon Shipyard Co., Ltd. (NSY), and IHI Corporation (IHI), reportedly the world's first AiP for A-FSRBs handling ammonia as cargo.Ammonia, which does not emit CO2 during combustion, has attracted attention for its use in thermal power plants and other applications as a potential fuel for decarbonization, while the development of onshore facilities for storage and regasification is a challenge.

ClassNK Grants AIP for Ammonia-fueled Ammonia Gas Carrier

Classifiction society ClassNK has issued an approval in principle (AIP) for an ammonia-fueled ammonia gas carrier (AFAGC) that is currently under research and development of Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line), Japan Engine Corporation, IHI Power Systems Co., Ltd. and Nihon Shipyard Co., Ltd.Ammonia is expected to be used as ship fuel for decarbonization since it does not emit CO2 when combusted. Meanwhile, adequate safety measures are imperative as it has been pointed out that ammonia is toxic to humans and corrosive to materials.

Japanese Firms Working on Ammonia Floating Storage & Regasification Barge

NYK Line, Nihon Shipyard Co., Ltd. (NSY), ClassNK, and IHI Corporation (IHI) have signed a joint research and development agreement for the commercialization of an ammonia floating storage and regasification barge (A-FSRB). Specifically, the parties will work on the R&D of the world's first barge equipped with a floating storage and regasification facility for ammonia.Since ammonia does not emit carbon dioxide (CO2) when combusted, it is expected to be a next-generation fuel that contributes to global warming countermeasures…

NYK to Modify Tugboat to Ammonia Fuel at Keihin Dock Co.

NYK finalized a contract with Keihin Dock Co., Ltd., an NYK Group company, to modify a tugboat to ammonia-fuel specifications. Sakigake, a tugboat currently fueled by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and operated in Tokyo Bay by NYK Group company Shin-Nippon Kaiyosha Corporation will be converted to operate on ammonia fuel by a target completion year of 2024.This R&D was initiated in October 2021 by NYK and IHI Power Systems Co., Ltd.

NYK Line, IPS Get ClassNK AiP for Ammonia-fueled Tugboat

Japanese classification society ClassNK has granted its Approval in Principle for NYK Line and IHI Power Systems's (IPS) ammonia-fueled tugboat currently being jointly researched and developed. This R&D is part of the Green Innovation Fund project within Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) for the development of vessels equipped with a domestically produced ammonia-fueled engine, adopted in October 2021 for NYK Line and IPS."Since carbon dioxide (CO2) is not emitted when ammonia is combusted…

Tokyo Kisen Co Holds Naming Ceremony for Electric Tug Taiga

Tokyo Kisen Co on May 26 held a naming and launching ceremony of the electric tugboat Taiga, built at Kanagawa Dockyard Co., Ltd in Japan.The Taiga is powered by an electric propulsion system that combines  e5Lab-developed large-capacity lithium-ion batteries and a diesel engine."It is an eco-ship designed to protect the environment in areas surrounding the ports of Yokohama and Kawasaki, and also a crew-friendly tugboat, not only achieving low/zero emissions of CO2, NOx, SOx…

Ammonia-Fueled Tug Key Plank in Yokohama's Plan To Be a Carbon Neutral Port

NYK Line, IHI Power Systems Co., Ltd., and ClassNK signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with City of Yokohama for the acceptance of an ammonia-fueled tugboat (A-Tug) at the port of Yokohama.The conclusion of this MoU is part of the Green Innovation Fund project within Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) for the development of vessels equipped with a domestically produced ammonia-fueled engines, adopted in October 2021 for NYK Line and IHI Power Systems Co.…

Ship Emissions: MIT Takes the Lead Toward Net Zero

The MIT Energy Initiative (MITEI) launched a new research consortium—the Future Energy Systems Center—to address the climate crisis and the role energy systems can play in solving it. Randall Field, Executive Director, discusses current research and the challenges ahead for the maritime sector.The reputation of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is such that it can take mammoth issues — such as driving the world to net zero — head-on, and suddenly make the impossible…

NYK and Partners to Develop Ammonia-fueled Vessels

Japan's Nippon Yusen KK (NYK) and its partners said on Tuesday they will conduct a demonstration project to develop commercial vessels equipped with ammonia-fueled engines to help reduce carbon dioxide emissions to tackle climate change.The shipping industry is examining a range of technologies as it looks to meet a target set by the UN's International Maritime Organization (IMO) of reducing overall greenhouse gas emissions from ships from 2008 levels by 50% by 2050.Ammonia is used in making fertilizer and industrial materials, but is also seen as a potential future energy source, along with h

Shipbuilding: FSG Expands Management Team

Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft (FSG) is expanding its management team further: in April, Carsten Treuer starts as Head of Operations and Bernd Liedtke as Head of Sales.“I am very much looking forward to working with these two shipbuilding specialists,” says Philipp Maracke, CEO of Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft, about the expansion of his team. “Our common goal is, on the one hand, to align production even more specifically with the requirements of our portfolio in the future.

Japan Trio Begins Work on an Ammonia-Fueled Tugboat

As the marine industry works to find the ‘fuel of the future’ to address increasingly stringent emission regulations, an interesting development from a trio of marine powers in Japan seeks to develop the world’s first ammonia-fueled tugboat. The joint research and development agreement was signed by NYK, IHI Power Systems Co., Ltd., and ClassNK recently to put the world's first ammonia-fueled tugboat into practical use.With the entry into force of the Paris Agreement in 2016, global momentum for decarbonization has increased…

Video: NYK Trials Remote Tug Operations

Several companies within Japan's NYK Group have partnered to test the remote navigation of a tugboat in Tokyo Bay.The tugboat, operated by NYK's Shin-Nippon Kaiyosha Corporation, was equipped with a manned remotely controlled system and put to the test by NYK and its group companies MTI Co. Ltd., Keihin Dock Co. Ltd., and Japan Marine Science Inc. (JMS).During the trials, the tug was operated remotely from an operation center in the city of Nishinomiya, approximately 400 kilometers away.

LNG Storage Tank Market to Reach $17.5Bn by 2025

LNG storage tank market is expected to grow from USD 12.5 billion in 2020 to USD 17.5 billion by 2025, at a CAGR of 7.0%, during the forecast period.The major factors driving the LNG storage tank market include increasing demand for LNG from various end-use industries, such as steel, power, and energy. Furthermore, the growing trade of LNG will also drive the demand, said a report by MarketsandMarkets.APAC is projected to be the leading LNG Storage Tank Market during the forecast period. The growth in the APAC region can be attributed to the rising demand for LNG from various end-use industries including energy, power and steel.The presence of a robust industrial base…

Floating LNG Power Vessel Market to $1bln by 2025

The global floating LNG power vessel market was USD 931 million in 2018 and is anticipated to reach USD 1,041 million by 2025, at a CAGR of 1.61% between 2019 and 2025.The floating LNG power vessel market is likely to experience significant growth over the upcoming years, owing to the growing demand for floating LNG power vessels, increasing power generation demand, and the lack of power infrastructure, said a market report by Zion Market Research.The floating LNG power vessel market is fragmented based on component, power output, and vessel type. By component, the floating LNG power vessel market includes a power distribution system and power generation system.

Marine Diesel Engine Market to Grow 3.9%

The global marine diesel engine market is estimated to grow at CAGR above 3.9% over the forecast time frame and reach the market value around US$ 8.1 billion by 2026.The worldwide market for marine diesel engines has expanded mainly as shipping industry needs to decrease carbon emissions, said Acumen Research and Consulting.The shipping industry focuses on developing higher-efficient diesel engines that use less diesel while offering more ship propulsion. However, the latest shipping and shipbuilding downturn has impaired the market.Shipbuilding orders decreased with lower shipping prices. Recovery is anticipated during the forecast period…

New LNG Carrier for Tokyo Gas Named

A naming ceremony for a new liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier was held Wednesday  at the Tsu shipyard of Japan Marine United Corporation (JMU) in Tsu city, Japan.NYK and Tokyo LNG Tanker Co. Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Tokyo Gas Co. Ltd., have a long-term charter contract for this vessel.At the ceremony, Takashi Uchida, president at Tokyo Gas, named the ship Energy Glory, and his wife cut the ceremonial rope holding the vessel in place. NYK president Tadaaki Naito was…

MOL Develops Engine Diagnosis Application

Japan's largest carriers of containerized and other cargo Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) announced an agreement for joint development of the next-generation engine failure sign diagnosis application, in partnership with ClassNK Consulting Service, IHI Power Systems, and Mitsui E&S Machinery.The four companies are looking to develop the application by fusing ClassNK's "CMAXS LC-A/e-GICSX"(CMAXS) and MOL's FOCUS "Fleet Optimal Control Unified System", which is intended to enhance safe operation and reduce environmental impact through advanced information and communications technology (ICT).The four companies will unite to develop a system called "Fleet Guardian…

World's First Barge-based FSRU Exits Dry Dock

The world’s first barge-based Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU) has undocked from dry-dock in Nantong, China, announced Wison Offshore & Marine, who provided EPC services for Exmar. Upon the undocking, topside installation has been completed, which paves the way for delivery. This is the first FSRU being built in China and the facility is to become the world’s first FSRU with small-scale storage capacity. This non-propelled FSRU barge has a regasification capacity of 600MMSCFD. Two SPB cargo tanks, each with a capacity of 12,500 m3, are installed in the hull for LNG storage.

GE Gas Turbines Power Japanese Destroyer

GE's Marine Solutions reports that the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) commissioned its second Izumo-class helicopter-carrying destroyer. The new JS Kaga (DDH 184) is powered by four GE LM2500 marine gas turbines, and was commissioned at the Japan Marine United Corporation shipyard in Yokohama on March 22, 2017. First-in-class JS Izumo (DDH 183) and JS Kaga are the largest surface combatants in the JMSDF fleet. Both feature a powerful and reliable combined diesel and LM2500 gas turbine propulsion system, with the gas turbines using GE’s integrated electronic controls.

GE Gas Turbines for Japan’s JS Asahi Destroyer

Two GE LM2500 marine gas turbines power the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Forces (JMSDF) newest destroyer JS Asahi (DD119). This first of two new destroyers in the JMSDF’s Asahi-class destroyer program was recently commissioned by the JMSDF. The ship was built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) at its Nagasaki Shipyard & Machinery Works in Japan. “We work in concert with IHI, our longstanding partner in Japan, to supply LM2500 marine gas turbines to the JMSDF for this new destroyer and other surface combatant programs,” said GE’s Brien Bolsinger, Vice President, Marine Operations.