J-ENG has started development of the UEC60LSH type main engine and expands it to ammonia-fueled engine

Japan Engine Corporation (J-ENG) has started development of the UEC60LSH type engine in order to strengthen the lineup of the latest “LSH” series.

UEC60LSH is the successor model of UEC60LSE type engine, which has been used by a lot of customers for many years. Based on the result of thorough hearing with customers, UEC60LSH is optimized for various types of vessel, VLGC (Very Large Gas Carrier), Capesize bulk carrier, coal carrier, car carrier and so on. UEC60LSH has the same features of ultra-low fuel consumption, compact dimensions and a wide rating that covers a wide range of engine speed as the preceding UEC42LSH and UEC50LSH type engines.

Also, we will simultaneously proceed with the development of the ammonia-fueled engine, UEC60LSJA type, based on UEC60LSH fueled with heavy oil.

Ammonia already has its supply-chain of manufacturing and distributing system as raw material for fertilizers, and the demand for ammonia is expected to increase in the future to secure enough food supplies in accordance to the growth of population, especially in the developing countries. Furthermore, ammonia does not emit CO2 when it combusts and therefore is expected to be used as a co-firing fuel for reducing GHG (Greenhouse Gas) emissions at existing thermal power plants. In order to meet these demands, the upsizing and the increase of completion volume of ammonia carriers are forecasted.

Currently J-ENG is developing UEC50LSJA, an ammonia-fueled engine having 50 cm bore under the NEDO (*) Green Innovation Fund project and aims to complete it in 2025. In addition, we plan to launch a larger size ammonia-fueled engine, UEC60LSJA type having 60 cm bore, to the market after 2026 just for the main engine of the large ammonia carriers. Through the social implementation and dissemination of these engines, we will contribute to the realization of carbon neutral in international shipping.