Japan's NYK Line, GCMD sign pact on low-carbon shipping

The Global Center for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD), a Singapore-based non-profit organisation, and Japanese shipping company NYK Line have entered into a strategic partnership agreement to promote decarbonisation in the shipping industry,

The partnership, which will last for five years, aims to drive initiatives and efforts towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions in maritime transportation.

NYK Line has been actively involved in supporting GCMD's initiatives, including providing knowledge and expertise for studies on ammonia fuel supply guidelines and participating in demonstration tests for drop-in biofuels.

NYK is the first shipping company in Japan to independently obtain an approval-in-principle (AiP) for an ammonia bunkering vessel from ClassNK and is on track to retrofit Sakigake, an LNG-fuelled tugboat, with an ammonia-fuelled engine. The vessel is expected to begin operations in 2026.

Additionally, NYK is making efforts with partner companies to deliver an oceangoing ammonia-fuelled ammonia gas carrier (AFAGC) by 2026. NYK Line and BHP have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on decarbonisation efforts within their shared supply chain.

GCMD, supported by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore and several industry partners, conducts research and demonstration projects to develop low-carbon solutions and shape fuel standards in the maritime industry. The organisation aims to provide a clear pathway for decarbonizing international shipping and fosters collaboration across sectors to achieve this goal.