Hitachi Zosen to Supply N20 Reactor For First NH3-Fuelled Gas Carrier

The N2O reactor will be developed by Hitachi Zosen, drawing on its strong track record and know-how in catalytic emissions reduction technology, which includes the development of marine vessel SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) system for removing nitrogen oxides (NOx) in marine engines.

In addition to installing the N2O reactor on the vessel, NYK will also be responsible for safety and performance verification of the N2O reactor during demonstration navigation.

The joint development project between Hitachi Zosen and NYK, entitled the Development of N2O Reactors for Ammonia-Fueled Carrier, has been selected by Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) as a “Next Generation Ship Development”. The project will develop catalysts for the N2O reactor to reduce N2O emissions from marine 2-stroke engines.

The development of a catalytic removal system for nitrous oxide (N2O) which is emitted when ammonia is used as fuel represents an important step before ammonia can be introduced as a fuel. As previously reported by The Motorship, N2O’s global warming potential is about 300 times that of CO2, and it is essential to reduce N2O emissions in order to realise ammonia-fuelled vessel carriers that are highly effective in reducing GHG emissions.

The Motorship previously reported in January that a series of contracts relating to the construction of the 40,000 cbm ammonia-fuelled ammonia carrier were signed in December 2023 by Japan Engine, Nihon Shipyard Co., Ltd. and NYK. J-ENG will supply a low-speed two-stroke dual-fuel engine capable of operating on ammonia for the medium-sized gas carrier.