ITOCHU Corporation and ITOCHU ENEX announced that they have reached an agreement with Ube Industries and Uyeno Transtech to supply marine ammonia fuel and jointly develop supply sites in Japan.

With worldwide momentum for decarbonization growing, in the field of marine transportation the International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted a greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction strategy in 2018.

The strategy calls for a 40% improvement in efficiency by 2030 compared to 2008 and a 50% total reduction compared with 2008 by the year 2050. Additionally, the strategy calls for the phasing out of greenhouse gas emissions (zero emissions) as early as possible in this century. To meet these goals, the early development of ships designed to be zero emission vessels is expected.

Ammonia in particular has attracted attention in a number of fields as a candidate alternative fuel. In order to achieve the development of ships that use ammonia as their main fuel, the stable supply of marine ammonia fuel and the development of supply sites are essential elements.

This latest joint development effort is not only focused on developing supply sites for marine ammonia fuel inside Japan, but is also positioned as part of an integrated project that includes the joint development of ammonia fuel ships, the ownership and operation of these ships, the introduction of marine ammonia fuel and facilities for the supply of that fuel, efforts which ITOCHU and ITOCHU ENEX has been pursuing in parallel.

Working in cooperation with companies in Japan and overseas as well as related government agencies, the companies will pursue initiatives aimed at reducing greenhouse gases.