Japan's NYK Line concluded 2025 with a series of strategic moves reinforcing its position as a leader in sustainable maritime transport. The company's activities in December focused on alternative fuels, decarbonization partnerships, and environmental recognition, aligning with its medium-term management plan emphasizing safety, environment, and human resources.
NYK Group Highlights Top 2025 Achievements
On December 25, NYK Group released its top news stories for 2025, showcasing progress in sustainability management. Key highlights included the commencement of a New DynaMoor mooring trial and enhancements to the NAV9000 safety standard under safety initiatives. Environmentally, NYK achieved the world's first environmental value creation via its ammonia-fueled tugboat operations and was recognized by CDP as one of the world's top green businesses for the sixth consecutive year on December 10.
Other notable accomplishments encompassed the welcoming of Japan's first crew transfer vessel (CTV), Alfonsino Arrow, a biofuel trial on a coal carrier for Tohoku Electric Power, and the world's first commercial-use ammonia-fueled tugboat completing a three-month demonstration voyage. NYK also conducted a successful ship-to-ship transfer of 23,000 tons of liquefied ammonia and signed the world's first time-charter agreement with Yara for an ammonia-fueled medium gas carrier.
Further advancements included a memorandum of understanding for standard designs using MILES for liquefied CO2 carriers and alternative fuel ships, promotion of a woman to chief engineer for the first time, and recognition for diversity efforts with the Best Workplace 2025 D&I Award.
Ocean Yield and NYK Line Deepen LNG Partnership
On December 24, Norwegian shipowner Ocean Yield and NYK Line agreed to co-invest in four newbuilding liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers to be constructed in South Korea, with deliveries scheduled for 2028 and 2029. Each party will hold approximately 50% ownership in the vessels, which upon delivery will enter long-term time charters with an investment-grade major energy company.
The transaction is projected to add around USD 600 million to Ocean Yield's EBITDA backlog. The charterer has options to extend durations and potentially expand the fleet to eight vessels, reflecting confidence in LNG as a key energy transition fuel and strengthening both companies' positions in the global LNG shipping market.
NYK Group Signs HoA with JERA for Ammonia Transport
NYK Group signed Heads of Agreements with JERA on December 22 for low-carbon ammonia marine transport, planning the first commercial shipment of fuel ammonia to Japan. This initiative supports the transition to cleaner energy sources in maritime operations.
Renewed Decarbonization Partnership with BHP
NYK Line and BHP Group renewed their memorandum of understanding to advance decarbonization and vessel safety. The agreement continues research on ammonia dual-fuel vessels, biofuel trials, and other low-carbon measures, aiming for net-zero by 2050. Hiroaki Nishiyama, Managing Executive Officer of NYK's Dry Bulk Division, emphasized combining strengths to develop next-generation technologies.
Joint Study for U.S. Methanol Marine Fuel Network
On December 12, ABS, ENEOS, NYK Line, and SEACOR Holdings launched a joint study to develop a methanol bunkering and supply chain network along the U.S. Gulf Coast. NYK will provide expertise from its LNG bunkering experience for onshore and onboard facilities, while SEACOR handles Jones Act-compliant bunkering barges.
These developments position NYK Line at the forefront of the maritime industry's shift toward sustainable fuels and operations, with long-term implications for global trade and environmental compliance.