Future Low-emission Ammonia Marine Engine Project Selected for UK Government's Maritime Decarbonisation Program
- Engaging in Decarbonisation in Maritime Sector -

August 05, 2025

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL; President & CEO: Takeshi Hashimoto, Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo, "MOL") is pleased to announce that the Future Low-emission Ammonia Marine Engine Project ("the Project"), led by Carnot Ltd. (President: Archie Watts-Farmer, Head Office: UK; "Carnot") and joined by MOL group company, MOL (Europe Africa) Ltd. has been selected for the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition Round 6 ("CMDC6", Note 1). CMDC6 is part of a suite of interventions launched by the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions ("UK SHORE"). UK SHORE aims to transform the UK into a global leader in the design and manufacturing of clean maritime technology.

The Project is led by a consortium headed by Carnot, in which MOL has invested (Note 2). Carnot is developing engine technology that eliminates energy loss during the cooling process and dramatically increases thermal efficiency and fuel efficiency by using highly heat-resistant materials. MOL (Europe Africa) Ltd. is also participating as a consortium member of the Project, alongside UK-based businesses and academic institutions: De Courcy Alexander Ltd., Houlder Ltd., Clean Air Power GT Ltd., and the University of Southampton. The Project plans to deliver an ammonia auxiliary engine retrofit solution, enabling shipping companies to reduce GHG emissions and operation costs.

The Project will focus on optimising our ammonia technology, with the University of Southampton providing advanced combustion simulations and Clean Air Power GT Ltd. developing a high-flow ammonia injector. Houlder Ltd. will provide technical expertise for the integration of the ammonia auxiliary engine. De Courcy Alexander Ltd. will support commercialisation efforts by assessing market potential, competitive landscape, risks, and strategies to accelerate adoption. MOL (Europe Africa) Ltd. will contribute operational insights, fleet management expertise, and strategic guidance on implementing technology and future fuels. Our input will be instrumental in shaping a phased adoption strategy to ensure practical deployment.

MOL has placed initiatives to address sustainability issues at the core of its "BLUE ACTION 2035" management plan, aiming to achieve sustainable growth that contributes to social issues and addresses environmental issues. Through participating in the Project with Carnot, we aim to contribute to GHG reductions in the maritime sector.

(Note 1) This project is funded by UK Government through the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) programme in the Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom. UK SHORE has allocated over £230m since 2022 to develop the technologies necessary to decarbonise the UK maritime sector and capture the economic growth opportunity of the transition. Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, is the main delivery partner for UK SHORE interventions.

(Note 2) For related press releases, please see: MOL to Invest in Carnot, a Tech Startup Developing Ways to Dramatically Increase Engine Fuel Efficiency, Slash GHG Emissions - July 19, 2024

MOL Group 5 Sustainability Issues
MOL Group identifies "Sustainability Issues" (Materiality) as our key issues for sustainable growth with society through realization of the Group Vision.
We anticipate this initiative to contribute especially to the realization of "Environment -Conservation for Marine and global environment-" and "Innovation -Innovation for development in marine technology- ."