MOL and Yara forge new partnership for ammonia carrier

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), the Japanese shipping major, has signed a three-year time charter contract for the ammonia carrier Green Pioneer with Yara Clean Ammonia Switzerland, part of the world’s largest nitrogen fertilizer manufacturer, Yara International. Delivered on December 25, 2023, the vessel, built in 2010 with a capacity of 34,500 cubic meters, is poised to transport ammonia primarily in the Pacific region.

This collaboration stems from a 2022 memorandum of understanding on decarbonization projects between MOL and Yara Group, focusing on the ammonia sector. Ammonia, currently a primary raw material for fertilizers, is anticipated to witness a surge in demand as a next-generation clean fuel that releases no carbon dioxide when burned. It is gaining traction for mixed burning in coal-fired power plants and as a hydrogen carrier, with particular interest in Japan.

Both companies are committed to establishing a long-term partnership in the clean ammonia domain, seeking to broaden their business horizons by constructing a comprehensive ammonia supply chain. The chartering of Green Pioneer is a step forward in their joint efforts to decarbonize and align with MOL’s “Blue Action 2035” management plan and commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050 as outlined in its “MOL Group Environmental Vision 2.2.”