Japanese power utility JERA has signed long-term charter agreements with Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and NYK Group for four very large ammonia carriers to support the Blue Point ammonia project in Louisiana, United States.
Under the agreements, MOL and NYK will each provide two ammonia carriers, marking the world’s first long-term deployment of very large gas carriers (VLGCs) dedicated to ammonia transportation.
The vessels will transport low-carbon ammonia from the Blue Point project, which is expected to begin production in 2029 with an annual capacity of 1.4 million metric tons.
JERA plans to use the fuel at its Hekinan Thermal Power Station to co-fire ammonia with coal, supporting Japan’s decarbonization goals and the development of a commercial-scale low-carbon ammonia value chain.
