By: ICN Bureau
Last updated : December 24, 2025 8:34 pm
The vessels will carry low-carbon ammonia from JERA’s Blue Point Complex in Louisiana
Japan's Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, (MOL) has signed two Heads of Agreements with JERA Co. (JERA) for a time charter covering two very large gas carriers (VLGCs) designed for ammonia transport.
The vessels will carry low-carbon ammonia from JERA’s Blue Point Complex in Louisiana, U.S., to the Hekinan Thermal Power Station in Aichi Prefecture, marking the start of Japan’s first large-scale low-carbon ammonia transport initiative.
Since November 2022, MOL has been in ongoing talks with JERA on fuel ammonia transport. This latest agreement builds on those discussions, aiming to “establish a commercial-scale low-carbon ammonia value chain.”
Ammonia, widely used as a raw material for fertilizers and chemicals, is also recognized as a next-generation clean energy source that emits no carbon dioxide when burned. It can serve as fuel for power plants and ships and function as a hydrogen carrier, with demand expected to grow substantially in the coming years.
The MOL Group has placed environmental strategy at the heart of its management plan, BLUE ACTION 2035, setting a target to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 under its “MOL Group Environmental Vision 2.2.” The company says it seeks to “contribute to the realization of a decarbonized society by building a comprehensive ammonia value chain,” leveraging expected large-scale demand while enhancing its expertise in safe and reliable ammonia transport.
“Leveraging experience and expertise as one of the world’s largest shipping companies, MOL will expand its diverse social infrastructure businesses, technologies, and services centered on marine transport.
"As a group, it will respond to the wide-ranging needs of its customers and advance as a global social infrastructure company—sustaining people’s daily lives from the blue oceans, ensuring a prosperous future, and delivering new value to all stakeholders.”