Asia
30 June 2026
JERA charters VLGCs for Japan’s first low carbon ammonia value chain
Written by Natalie Noor-Drugan
JERA has signed time charter agreements with NYK Bulkship (Asia) and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) for four fuel ammonia carriers to support Japan’s first commercial scale low carbon ammonia value chain from the US to Japan. Each owner will provide two Very Large Gas Carriers (VLGCs) under long term charter to JERA, with vessel completion scheduled for the first half of 2027 ahead of planned supply chain operations from around fiscal 2029.
The VLGCs, to be built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, will have an overall length of about 229.90 m, breadth of 37.20 m, moulded depth of 21.90 m and moulded summer draft of 11.65 m, with tank capacity of roughly 87,000 m³. The dual fuel ships will be able to run on LPG or VLSFO. JERA said this marks the world’s first long term deployment of VLGC size carriers for ammonia transportation and is critical to procuring and transporting large volumes of low carbon ammonia at more competitive cost for power generation and other commercial and industrial uses.
