MITSUI E&S Expands Ammonia Fuel Testing Facility to Support Next Generation Marine Engines

MITSUI E&S has announced plans to expand its land-based ammonia fuel supply system testing facilities as it prepares for anticipated growth in demand for ammonia-fuelled marine engines, supporting the shipping industry’s transition toward low- and zero-carbon propulsion technologies.

The investment will strengthen the company’s capability to develop and validate integrated ammonia propulsion systems, combining marine engines with fuel supply systems before commercial deployment.

The expansion comes as the maritime sector accelerates efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in line with international decarbonisation targets. Ammonia is widely regarded as one of the leading zero-carbon fuel candidates for deep-sea shipping because it does not emit carbon dioxide during combustion.

MITSUI E&S currently manufactures large dual-fuel marine engines capable of operating on alternative fuels including liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and methanol. The company expects ammonia-powered engines to become an increasingly important part of its future product portfolio.

Facility to Support Integrated Ammonia Propulsion Testing

The expanded testing facility will incorporate technologies developed by TGE Marine Gas Engineering GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of MITSUI E&S with experience in fuel gas systems for LNG, LPG, ethane and ammonia-fuelled vessels.

The company said the upgraded infrastructure will enable integrated land-based testing of ammonia engines alongside fuel supply systems, helping validate system performance, safety and operational reliability before installation onboard ships.

MITSUI E&S has already been developing ammonia fuel supply systems and fuel tanks under Japan’s NEDO Green Innovation Fund programme. By the end of fiscal year 2025, the company completed integrated operational testing of ammonia-fuelled engines and fuel supply systems at its Tamano Works facility.

The new investment is intended to expand those testing capabilities as commercial demand for ammonia propulsion technologies grows.

Integrated Marine Propulsion Offering

The company also plans to strengthen collaboration with TGE Marine to offer integrated propulsion packages that combine engines and fuel supply systems for shipowners and shipyards.

By providing a complete propulsion solution, MITSUI E&S aims to support customers developing ammonia-fuelled vessels while expanding its presence in the global marine propulsion market.

The company said its long-term strategy is to evolve from a standalone marine engine manufacturer into a broader supplier of integrated marine propulsion systems and related services.

Government Support for Zero-Emission Shipping

The capital investment is supported under Japan’s Zero-Emission Ships Construction Promotion Project, a joint initiative of the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.