Page 220 - ΝΑΥΤΙΚΑ ΧΡΟΝΙΚΑ - SEPT 2025

Technology & shipbuilding
riers more effectively through 24/7 The Nuclear Energy
expert remote support and guidance Maritime Organisation
for troubleshooting and maintenance (NEMO) has been
using specialist diagnostic tools. Wärtsilä officially granted
experts will be able to directly monitor the NGO consultative status
vessels’ systems and employ advanced with the IMO,
diagnostic tools to support the crew with and has received
troubleshooting activities and rapid fault a formal invitation
resolution. The agreement will also help to participate
to minimise OpEx and lifecycle costs by regularly in the
enabling preventive interventions that can General Conference
prevent the need for later expensive repairs of the International
and on-site visits. Atomic Energy Agency
“The maritime industry is complex, with (IAEA) – a significant
many moving parts; therefore, we take a milestone in its global
consultative approach with our custom- engagement efforts.
ers, working closely with them to tailor
the agreement to their specific needs as
a means to add value to their operations”,
comments Henrik Wilhelms, Director of
Agreement Sales at Wärtsilä Marine.
Wärtsilä signed a similar agreement with
Alpha Gas in November 2024, covering
two more LNG carriers. The four Alpha Gas
sister vessels now covered by the Wärt-
silä Lifecycle Agreement are the “Energy
Pacific”, “Energy Endeavour”, “Energy
Integrity”, and “Energy Intelligence”.
NEMO granted NGO consultative
status with IMO and IAEA
The Nuclear Energy Maritime Organisation
(NEMO) has been officially granted NGO
consultative status with the International
Maritime Organisation (IMO) and has
received a formal invitation to participate
regularly in the General Conference of
the International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA) – a significant milestone in its global
engagement efforts.
With this new status, NEMO will play an
active role in shaping international dialogue
and policy at the highest levels of maritime
and nuclear governance. As a recognised
NGO, NEMO will contribute expert knowl-
edge, technical input, and strategic recom-
mendations to support the integration of
nuclear technologies in shipping, offshore
energy platforms, and floating nuclear
power systems.
NEMO is also set to participate in the
IAEA’s upcoming ATLAS initiative (Atomic
Technologies Licensed for Applications at
Sea), launching later in 2025. This global
programme aims to support the develop-
ment of regulatory frameworks for nuclear
energy at sea. NEMO will provide techni-
218
cal expertise and strategic guidance across
all ATLAS Implementation Groups, helping to
define the future of nuclear-powered maritime
solutions.
Through its consultative role, NEMO will sup-
port the creation of robust regulatory frame-
works, safety protocols, and best practices
for commercial nuclear propulsion and mobile
nuclear energy systems. This development also
reinforces NEMO’s commitment to fostering
international cooperation and accelerating
progress toward a low-carbon maritime future.
ITOCHU places newbuilding order
for ammonia bunkering vessel
ITOCHU Corporation recently signed a ship-
building contract with Sasaki Shipbuilding Co.,
Ltd. for the construction of a 5,000 m3 ammo-
nia bunkering vessel, along with an agreement
with Izumi Steel Works Ltd. regarding the con-
struction of an ammonia tank plant that will
be installed on the vessel. These agreements
were signed by Clean Ammonia Bunkering
Shipping Pte. Ltd. (CABS), a wholly owned
Singapore-based special-purpose company
of ITOCHU. In connection with this, CABS has
concluded a financing agreement with The
Hiroshima Bank, Ltd. for part of the vessel’s
purchase.
Through the development and construction
of this vessel, and its subsequent demon-
stration, ITOCHU will establish a safe off-
shore ammonia bunkering operation by way
of ship-to-ship transfer, which serves as an
important step for the promotion of the inte-
grated project. Then, ITOCHU plans to estab-
lish a connection between the first movers
in clean ammonia production and the first
movers in the operation of ammonia-fuelled
vessels, securing initial demand for ammo-
nia as a marine fuel. The company’s ultimate
aim is the commercialisation of the ammo-
nia bunkering business in Singapore and
the expansion of a similar business model to
major maritime transportation points around
the world, including Spain (Strait of Gibral-
tar), Egypt (Suez Canal), and Japan.
By taking advantage of the expertise and
knowledge gained through the vessel’s con-
struction and the planned demonstration of
ammonia bunkering in Singapore, ITOCHU
will contribute to strengthening Japan’s com-
petitiveness in the construction of ammo-
nia bunkering vessels and the production of
ammonia tank plants, the demand for which
is growing rapidly.
NX