Pioneering Ammonia-Powered Tug Achieves Milestone in Greenhouse Gas Reduction After Three-Month Trial

Meet the Sakigake, the trailblazer in ammonia-powered shipping! This innovative tugboat recently wrapped up a three-month test run in Tokyo Bay, and guess what? NYK, its owner, claims it slashed greenhouse gas emissions by an notable 95%. This voyage showcases ammoniaS potential as a game-changing fuel for maritime operations.

Originally launched in 2015 as Japan’s first LNG-powered tug, the 272-ton Sakigake measures about 122 feet (37 meters) long. Back then, it was celebrated as a pioneering step towards alternative fuels. Now, it’s stepping up again to lead the charge for ammonia propulsion.

The vessel underwent significant modifications by Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK) and IHI Power Systems Co., finishing on August 23, 2024. They teamed up with Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) under Japan’s Green Innovation Fund Project from NEDO to make this conversion happen.

This aspiring project kicked off in October 2021 with a focus on creating ships powered by domestically sourced ammonia engines. The team worked diligently to redesign the vessel and swap out its LNG system for an ammonia-based one. With this upgrade,Sakigake proudly holds the title of being the first commercial ship globally to utilize ammonia fuel—following Fortescue’s earlier conversion of an offshore support vessel that received certification for its own ammonia system earlier this year.

Diving into practical applications, NYK Group’s Shin-Nippon Kaiyosha operated the tug during its presentation phase while gathering data on emissions reductions. They found that co-firing with ammonia consistently led to over a 90% drop in GHG emissions—and at times even hit that remarkable 95% mark depending on engine load!

The journey doesn’t end here; after completing this initial demonstration phase, Sakigake will keep serving Tokyo Bay as a reliable tugboat while NYK continues learning about operating vessels powered by ammonia.

Aiming even higher, NYK is collaborating with Japan Engine Corporation and Nippon