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Nitrogen+Syngas 399 Jan-Feb 2026

27 January 2026

ClassNK approves ammonia/methanol powered bulk carrier

ClassNK approves ammonia/ methanol powered bulk carrier

ClassNK has issued approval in principle for a concept design of the Multiple Alternative Fuels Ready (ammonia/methanol/LNG) bulk carrier developed by Oshima Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. The certification confirms the feasibility of the vessel from regulatory and safety perspectives. ClassNK has published Annex 1 Alternative Fuel Ready of the Guidelines for Ships Using Alternative Fuels, which summarises the requirements for adding class notations to ships that do not use alternative fuels at the time of construction but are designed and partially equipped to accommodate such fuels in the future.

Latest in Asia

Methanol Reformer to supply MGC with methanol reformer for Niigata plant

Spain’s Methanol Reformer has signed a sales and purchase agreement with Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc. (MGC) for the supply of an L18 methanol reformer compliant with Japanese industry requirements. The system will be delivered and installed at MGC’s Niigata plant, with commissioning planned for the second half of 2026. Methanol Reformer says that this, their first industrial project in Japan, reinforces the company’s presence in the Asian market, while for MGC, the collaboration supports the adoption of innovative hydrogen-generation solutions designed to enhance operational applicability and efficiency with reliability.

Alfa Laval signs MoU for ammonia fuel system collaboration

Alfa Laval Korea Ltd. has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Hanwha Ocean Ecotech, marking a significant step toward strengthening cooperation in developing safe and reliable ammonia fuel system solutions for dual-fuel vessels. The collaboration is founded on a shared ambition to advance ammonia fuel systems for dual-fuel vessels. Alfa Laval will contribute its proven capabilities in ammonia fuel and mitigation technologies through ammonia fuel supply system and FSS and ammonia release mitigation system (ARMS) and Hanwha will apply its extensive experience in system engineering and integration. This partnership will facilitate the exchange of expertise and improve productivity and safety on board.

Toyo to build AN plant

Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilizers & Chemicals (GNFC) has announced a contract award worth approximately $40 million to Toyo Engineering India Pvt Ltd for the supply of a second ammonium nitrate on an LEPC (Lump Sum Engineering, Procurement and Construction) basis. The plant will have a capacity of 480 t/d (160,000 t/a), and is projected to be built over a 20 month project timescale. The project received board approval during GNFC’s most recent board meeting. Toyo Engineering India has established a strategic tie-up with Spain’s INCRO SA for the technology license and supply of process knowhow. The new ammonium nitrate plant represents a substantial expansion for GNFC, with the company stating that this installation will enhance their capacity by 94%. GNFC says that it will better position the company to serve India’s growing demand for AN, while leveraging advanced international technology through the Toyo-INCRO partnership.

CIMC Enric commissions biomethanol project

CIMC Enric Holdings Ltd says that it has commissioned China’s first large-scale biomethanol facility in Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province, marking a major step forward in the decarbonisation of global shipping and clean fuel supply chains. The project, developed by CIMC Enric and its subsidiaries, is designed as a fully integrated closed-loop system converting forestry residues into green methanol for use as marine fuel. With an initial annual capacity of 50,000 t/a, it is the country’s first commercial scale green methanol plant, and is backed by the port of Zhanjiang and abundant local forestry wastes.

Contract awarded for nitric acid plant

NextChem has also announced that its nitrogen technology licensing division Stamicarbon, has been a licensing contract and the project development process for a new nitric acid plant in China. The project entails the application of Stamicarbon’s state-of-the-art mono-pressure technology, part of NX STAMI™ Nitrates series, which uses oxygen instead of air as feed for the process, enabling high energy recovery and low operational costs. NextChem says that the award builds on the Group’s longstanding expertise in nitrogen technologies and reflects its commitment to industrialising efficient, low-emission solutions for the agricultural supply chains.