MITSUI E&S has announced plans to expand its land-based ammonia fuel supply testing facilities to accelerate the development and commercialisation of ammonia-fuelled marine engines, supporting the shipping industry’s transition towards zero-emission propulsion. The investment strengthens the company’s ambition to deliver integrated marine propulsion systems by combining advanced ammonia engines with fuel supply technologies developed by its subsidiary, TGE Marine.
Tokyo | June 29, 2026 – Japanese marine engineering company MITSUI E&S Co., Ltd. has announced plans to expand its land-based ammonia fuel supply system testing facilities as it prepares for the anticipated rise in demand for ammonia-fuelled marine engines, reinforcing its strategy to become a comprehensive supplier of next-generation marine propulsion systems.
The investment comes as the global shipping industry intensifies efforts to decarbonise operations in response to increasingly stringent greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets and the transition towards alternative marine fuels.
Expansion supports growing ammonia engine production
MITSUI E&S said the expanded facilities will strengthen its capability to develop and manufacture ammonia-fuelled engines, which are widely regarded as one of the most promising zero-carbon fuel solutions for deep-sea shipping.
The company is currently Japan’s largest domestic producer of large dual-fuel marine engines capable of operating on lower-carbon fuels including liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and methanol. These engine platforms are designed to support the industry’s gradual transition towards net-zero emission fuels.
By expanding its ammonia fuel supply infrastructure, MITSUI E&S aims to increase production readiness for ammonia-powered propulsion systems expected to play a significant role in future low-emission shipping.
Leveraging TGE Marine expertise
The new testing facility will incorporate technologies developed by TGE Marine Gas Engineering GmbH (TGE Marine), MITSUI E&S’ wholly owned subsidiary specialising in marine fuel gas handling systems.
TGE Marine has established itself as a leading supplier of fuel gas systems, with more than 150 systems delivered or currently on order for vessels operating on LNG, LPG, ethane and ammonia.
The integration of TGE Marine’s fuel supply technologies is expected to enable MITSUI E&S to offer complete propulsion packages that combine engines with advanced fuel handling systems.
Building on successful ammonia testing
MITSUI E&S has been developing ammonia fuel supply systems and ammonia fuel tanks through Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) Green Innovation Fund programme.
By the end of fiscal year 2025, the company successfully completed integrated operational testing of ammonia-fuelled engines together with ammonia fuel supply systems at its Tamano Works facility.
According to the company, those trials verified both the reliability and safety of the integrated system under land-based operating conditions.
The newly expanded facilities will allow MITSUI E&S to conduct additional integrated testing and validation programmes aimed at further improving system reliability, operational safety and commercial readiness before wider market deployment.
Delivering integrated propulsion solutions
Beyond engine development, MITSUI E&S said it intends to strengthen collaboration with TGE Marine to provide fully integrated marine propulsion systems combining engines, fuel supply equipment and related engineering services.
The company believes offering complete propulsion packages will better address the evolving requirements of shipowners and shipyards in both the Japanese and international markets as demand for alternative-fuel vessels continues to grow.
The strategy also reflects a broader shift in the company’s business model, from a traditional marine engine manufacturer towards a full-service marine propulsion system provider.
Government-backed investment
The capital investment is supported under Japan’s Zero-Emission Ships Construction Promotion Project, a joint initiative administered by the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
The programme is designed to accelerate the development and commercialisation of technologies that support the decarbonisation of Japan’s maritime sector.
Supporting shipping’s energy transition
Ammonia has emerged as one of the leading candidates for achieving deep decarbonisation in international shipping because it contains no carbon and therefore produces no carbon dioxide emissions at the point of combustion. However, widespread commercial adoption requires significant advances in engine technology, fuel storage, onboard fuel supply systems and safety standards due to ammonia’s toxicity and handling requirements.
Land-based integrated testing has become an essential step for engine manufacturers seeking to validate complete propulsion systems before commercial deployment aboard vessels.
By investing in expanded testing infrastructure, MITSUI E&S is positioning itself to support the shipping industry’s transition towards zero-emission propulsion technologies while broadening its portfolio beyond standalone engines.
About MITSUI E&S
Founded in 1917, MITSUI E&S is one of Japan’s leading engineering companies with operations spanning marine propulsion systems, port logistics equipment and industrial infrastructure. Under its “Engineering & Services for Evolution & Sustainability” strategy, the company is focused on technologies that support decarbonisation, automation and digital transformation across the maritime sector.
Alongside ammonia propulsion, MITSUI E&S is developing next-generation engines capable of operating on LNG, methanol and hydrogen, while also advancing near-zero-emission port cranes, autonomous crane operations, AI-based engine diagnostics and smart container terminal management systems as part of its vision for cleaner shipping and more sustainable port operations.
Source: MITSUI E&S