World News
MOL and JERA Announce Charter Deal for Two Ammonia Carriers
Japanese shipping company MOL and power producer JERA have signed a long-term charter agreement for two very large gas carriers that will transport low-carbon ammonia from the US to Japan from around fiscal year 2029.
The vessels will carry ammonia produced at the Blue Point Project in Louisiana, in which JERA has invested, to the Hekinan Thermal Power Station in Aichi Prefecture, MOL said in a press release on Thursday.
The vessels will have a cargo capacity of about 87,000 m3 and are being built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries. Delivery is scheduled for the first half of 2027.
MOL added the agreement marks a key step in developing a marine transport system for low-carbon ammonia and supporting what it described as Japan's first large-scale imports of the fuel.
The deal follows a memorandum of understanding signed by the two companies in 2025 and builds on discussions that began in 2022 on the transportation of fuel ammonia.
Ammonia is seen as a potential marine fuel to help decarbonise shipping.
The first oceangoing ammonia-fuelled vessel entered service this month, but challenges around fuel supply, bunkering infrastructure and handling procedures remain before wider adoption can take place.
MOL said the project will help establish a commercial-scale low-carbon ammonia value chain while supporting its goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Key Bunker Prices More
| VLSFO | MGO | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $/mt | +/- | $/mt | +/- | |
| Singapore | 865.50 | 8.50 | 1289.50 | 14.50 |
| Rotterdam | 686.50 | 12.00 | 1390.00 | 40.00 |
| Houston | 740.50 | 7.50 | 1388.00 | 1.50 |
| Fujairah | 963.50 | 12.50 | 1666.50 | 19.50 |
| Global 20 Ports Average | 876.00 | 6.00 | 1520.50 | 13.50 |
| Global 4 Ports Average | 814.00 | 10.00 | 1433.50 | 18.00 |
| Global Average Bunker Price | 935.00 | 3.00 | 1594.00 | 14.00 |
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