Mitsui OSK Lines Ltd. (MOL), Tokyo, has inked a deal to build the world’s largest anhydrous ammonia ships, as well as a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Origin Energy, Sydney, for a joint study to build a green ammonia supply chain.
MOL’s Phoenix Tankers Pte. Ltd. signed the ship deal with Namura Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., Osaka, for the construction of two very large gas carriers (VLGCs) to transport liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and ammonia.
Namura Shipbuilding will construct the two vessels at its Imari Shipyard, under a technical tie-up with Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., Kanagawa Prefecture. The vessels are slated for delivery in succession after 2023.
MOL said the vessels are presently the world’s largest-scale ammonia carriers. The very large gas carriers will each have a length overall (LOA) of 230 meters, a beam of 36.6 meters, a draught of 12 meters, a total cargo capacity of 87,000 cubic meters, and a Mitsui-MAN dual-fuel engine that can also operate on LPG. In addition, they will be built with an eye toward conversion to ammonia fuel in the future. The company noted that LPG and ammonia fuels have similar characteristics.
As for the MOU, Origin is pursuing a number of green ammonia and hydrogen projects, including a green ammonia export project in Bell Bay, Tasmania (GM Nov. 20, 2020), with the first cargo targeted for 2026. MOL and Origin will complete a feasibility study on marine transportation of ammonia, demand in Japan and Asia, and developing a supply chain by December of this year.