J-ENG targets September 2025 for first NH3-fuelled 2-stroke

The announcement was made after J-ENG announced that it had begun ammonia co-firing operation on an ammonia-fuelled test engine at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Research and Innovation Center in Nagasaki. 

The company noted that it was the first low-speed two-stroke engine developer to begin operating on ammonia. The Motorship notes that MAN ES and WinGD are currently pursuing 100% ammonia combustion strategies as part of their engine development programmes. 

J-ENG is using its “Stratified injection system” based on J-ENG’s proprietary technology. The engine designer and builder plans to operate the test engine with ammonia fuel under various conditions over the next year.

In parallel, J-ENG will develop, design, and manufacture a full-scale ammonia-fuelled engine for demonstration. This engine is scheduled to be completed in September 2025 after about six months of actual shop operation for verification.

The Motorship notes that the project is receiving funding from Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) as part of its Green Innovation Fund Project.

As part of the engine development project, a new facility to supply ammonia fuel to the test engine has also been installed adjacent to the building where the test engine sitting. J-ENG expects the knowledge and experience gained from the operation of this facility to contribute to the development of ammonia fuel supply systems on board ships.

It is unclear whether J-ENG’s new NH3-fuelled 2-stroke engine will be installed as a main mover on the ammonia-fuelled ammonia gas carrier project scheduled for delivery in October 2026, which is currently being developed by NYK, Nihon Shipyard, Japan Engine, IHI Power Systems, and ClassNK.

Hydrogen engine development

J-ENG also noted that it was continuing to develop technologies as part of its hydrogen-fuelled engine development programme. J-ENG has installed a hydrogen injection device for a hydrogen fueled engine at J-ENG’s head office plant in Akashi city and begun operational tests.

J-ENG plans to operate this equipment for over 12 months to verify the design details of the injection system for hydrogen and accumulate combustion and emissions profile data.  

After the above process, J-ENG will proceed with the development, design and manufacturing of a full-scale hydrogen fuelled engine for demonstration, which is scheduled to be completed in March 2027 after about one year of actual shop operation for verification in 2026.