In 2025, the pieces are rapidly assembling to enable and accelerate imports of ammonia energy to Japan. This year, government agency METI is due to announce two lots of key funding, including contracts for difference subsidies and development of import infrastructure. Power generation technologies will be commercialised within the next few years, and more maritime players are joining the push to deploy ammonia fuel in Japanese ships.
Pupuk Kujang Fertilizers has announced the trial production of renewable ammonia at its existing factory earlier this month. A total of 50 tons of renewable ammonia will be produced at first, and co-fired in an 8-hour trial at PLN Power Indonesia’s Banten Labuan power plant.
Aviation investor SkiesFifty has announced a new partnership with UK-based Catalsys to develop ammonia-based power systems. The pair will focus on deployment in two areas: ground operations for aviation, and aircraft propulsion systems.
Syzygy and Lotte Chemical have announced results from the latest test of Syzygy’s all-electric ammonia cracker in Ulsan, South Korea. The unit demonstrated capacity of 290 kg/day of hydrogen produced at 11 kWh/kg, as Syzygy works towards commercialisation of the technology.
ACME has selected two Chinese technology providers for the first phase of its renewable ammonia project in Oman, which will produce renewable ammonia from 2027.
Starting in 2027, Hygenco will produce ammonia compliant with the EU’s RFNBO standard. Pre-certification from CertifHy enables access to key European markets, and marks another project milestone achieved in recent months.
Partners report that the voyage demonstrates “efficient and economic” future pathways for the transport of ammonia, particularly as the scale-up of new maritime fuels occurs. The Green Power vessel was also involved in Trafigura’s first-ever ship-to-ship transfer of ammonia in the Straits of Gibraltar last July.
The trio has developed a high-pressure, small-scale, direct liquid injection engine utilising pure ammonia fuel with no additives or pilot fuel. Last June the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials unveiled a MW-scale, LNG-ammonia co-fired engine for maritime applications, utilising the same combustion approach.
Korean energy company LUPRO has entered into a long-term tripartite production, supply and sales agreement with Oman’s Muscat House and Thailand’s MA Corporation for the production and export of renewable ammonia to Asia, beginning in 2027.