Japan Engine Corporation Drives Global Shift Toward Clean Ammonia Marine Fuel

Japan Engine Corporation (J-ENG) is gearing up to make history with the world’s first commercial-scale, ammonia-powered two-stroke marine engine. It’s a dual-fuel design, capable of running on either ammonia or hydrogen, and it uses advanced stratified injection technology to help tackle the tricky nature of ammonia combustion—while keeping emissions like nitrous oxide in check.

A new chapter in clean ammonia power at sea

This game-changing development is a huge milestone in Japan’s push toward sustainable energy and ties directly into the country’s larger Green Transformation initiative. Backed by METI and armed with a massive $51 billion investment, the plan is betting big on building out core hydrogen infrastructure and advancing ammonia production technologies.

To support this push, J-ENG is also putting the finishing touches on its Akashi facility—the future home of the world’s first dedicated industrial-scale ammonia engine production plant. That facility is expected to be up and running by 2028, signaling a serious shift away from the experimental phase and into full-blown commercial production. Much of this momentum comes thanks to consistent backing from Japan’s Green Innovation Fund, which has long supported pilot programs in this space.

Rewriting the rules of marine fuel

Sure, this bold move isn’t without its challenges—safely handling ammonia, upgrading port infrastructure, and tightening up emission controls are all big hurdles. But if Japan can get it right, this could be a tipping point for industrial decarbonization in the maritime sector. In the long run, it could give Japan a leadership position in the race to reinvent global shipping with clean ammonia as a viable marine fuel.