Japan Engine Corporation (J-Eng) has received orders for four 6UEC60LSJA-HPSCR ammonia-fuelled engines, which will be supplied as the main engines for four Pure Car and Truck Carriers (PCTCs).
The vessels are part of a project to build and operate ammonia-fuelled PCTCs by seven companies: Imabari Shipbuilding, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Kyokuyo Shipyard Corporation, JERA, Shin Kurushima Dockyard, Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK), and Nihon Shipyard.
The project aims to decarbonise international shipping and accelerate the creation of an ammonia market by establishing an ammonia fuel supply chain based in the Chubu region of Japan and by building and operating PCTCs that use this supply network. J-Eng is participating as the main engine manufacturer in this ‘All Japan’ project, which covers procurement and supply of ammonia fuel to the construction and operation of vessels. J-Eng aims to support safe and reliable vessel operations through its integrated framework covering development, design, and manufacture of the engines to after-sales service.
Ammonia emits no CO₂ when combusted and is regarded as one of the most promising alternative fuels for achieving net-zero emissions in international shipping by 2050. However, its practical application requires advanced technologies, including safety measures to deal with its toxicity, low flammability, and limitation of NOx emissions. Under the Green Innovation Fund Project Development of Next-Generation Ships by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), J-Eng has verified the environmental performance, reliability, and safety of its engine through long-duration verification testing. J-Eng completed its first full-scale, fully Japan-made 7UEC50LSJA-HPSCR ammonia-fuelled engine in August 2025, which has since been installed on an ammonia-fuelled medium gas carrier being built for NYK by Japan Marine United Corporation.
With support from the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism funded through GX (Green Transformation) Economy Transition Bonds, J-Eng has begun construction of a new factory to expand its production capacity for ammonia-fuelled engines. Scheduled to start operation in fiscal year 2028, the new factory will strengthen J-Eng’s production capabilities to meet demand for future-fuel engines.
Image: J-Eng’s first 7UEC50LSJA-HPSCR ammonia-fuelled engine on the test bed (source: J-Eng)
