NYK Sticks to Net-Zero Emissions Plan Despite Slower Transition

Japanese shipping company NYK released its 2026 Progress Report on October 28, in which it maintains its net-zero emissions strategy despite acknowledging that the transition to a low-carbon society is unfolding more slowly than anticipated. The document is part of the NYK Group Decarbonization Story launched in November 2023, and the company expects demand for climate action and decarbonization-related regulation to intensify once again.

According to the report, low-GHG and alternative fuels accounted for 12.2% of NYK's total marine fuel consumption in fiscal year 2025, with biofuels as the main component, followed by LNG. Biofuel consumption rose to 297,000 tons in FY2025, up from 251,000 tons in FY2024 and just 6,000 tons in FY2023. The dual-fuel fleet grew from 26 to 35 vessels over the same period, not counting gas carriers or LNG-ready ships.

NYK estimated that the use of low-emission and alternative fuels enabled a reduction of 260,000 tons of CO2 equivalent in emissions during FY2025. Of that total, biofuels accounted for an estimated reduction of 200,000 tons compared to using an equivalent energy amount of heavy fuel oil, with the savings verified through ISCC certificates.

The company is also advancing preparations for next-generation fuels. In May 2026, it launched a 12-month trial using B100 biofuel, derived mainly from used cooking oil, aboard a pure car and truck carrier (PCTC), aiming to assess engine performance under continuous use and establish safe operating guidelines. NYK is also evaluating cashew nut shell liquid from India as a potential sustainable biofuel and continues to make progress in developing ammonia-fueled vessels.

NYK's report also details the rollout of ammonia-fueled vessels, the management of Scope 3 emissions across the value chain, and carbon dioxide removal, as well as support for the expansion of bioenergy with carbon capture and storage through fuel supply. A second section addresses decarbonization as a driver of sustainable growth, including product carbon footprint initiatives and the promotion of effective and fair decarbonization regulations, and includes emissions reduction measures at the automotive terminals operated by International Car Operators N.V. in Zeebrugge and Antwerp. The Japanese-language version of the report will be published at a later date.