Japanese engine manufacturer Mitsui E&S is expanding its ammonia fuel supply system facilities as it steps up development of ammonia-fuelled marine engines, betting on increased demand for the zero-carbon fuel in the years ahead.
The upgraded infrastructure will be used for land-based testing of ammonia engines and their associated fuel supply systems, strengthening the company’s efforts to commercialise ammonia propulsion for the shipping industry.
Mitsui E&S said the project follows the successful completion of integrated operational tests at its Tamano Works by the end of 2025, where ammonia engines and fuel supply systems were operated together to confirm their safety and operational performance.
The expanded facility will support a new series of integrated trials aimed at collecting additional operational data, refining system performance and improving reliability before commercial deployment.
The fuel supply system will incorporate technology developed by TGE Marine Gas Engineering (TGE Marine), the company’s wholly owned subsidiary. Mitsui E&S said combining its engine technology with TGE Marine’s fuel supply expertise will allow it to offer complete ammonia propulsion packages to shipowners in Japan and overseas.
The company views ammonia as one of the most promising zero-emission fuels for deep-sea shipping and said the investment is intended to prepare for expected growth in demand for ammonia-powered vessels.
The expansion is being carried out with support from Japan’s Zero-Emission Ships Construction Promotion Project, jointly administered by the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
