The Chinese company Shenghang Shipping has successfully prepared its vessel named Shenghang Yongle for operation as an ammonia bunkering ship. This ship, with a capacity of 5,500 cubic meters, was previously built as a liquefied gas carrier and has now been repurposed to provide liquid ammonia to other vessels through ship-to-ship bunkering.
Development of Ammonia Bunkering Infrastructure
In light of recent advancements in ammonia bunkering, several ports in various regions have also set plans to conduct ammonia bunkering trials. For example, Lotte Fine Chemical in Ulsan, South Korea, has been bunkering ammonia to vessels and signed an agreement with Amogy in September to expand ammonia bunkering. Additionally, tugboats at the COSCO Group's Dalian terminal were bunkered with green ammonia last year.
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Global Plans for Ammonia Bunkering
Globally, several programs are underway to develop ammonia bunkering infrastructure. For instance, Pilbara Ports in Australia plans to conduct ammonia bunkering trials this year, while the Port of Rotterdam expects to have its first ammonia bunkering deliveries between 2026 and 2027. In Singapore, Itochu has planned to hold live bunkering demonstrations using a newly delivered vessel in the fourth quarter of 2027.
Furthermore, terminal operator Azane Fuel and bunkering supplier Equinor have planned to start ammonia deliveries from truck to ship in Norway in the second half of this year. An ammonia bunkering facility is also being developed at Fjord Base in Florø, Norway, which will include one of Azane's floating bunkering barges with a capacity of 650 metric tons of ammonia.
At the Port of Hamburg, MB Energy has received a permit to construct a large-scale ammonia import terminal, with commercial operations planned for 2029. This project includes a new tank for temporary ammonia storage and upgrades to ship and barge bunkering locations, which may ultimately support ammonia bunkering.
Despite the development plans and specified timelines, safety barriers and the need for low and zero-emission ammonia supply remain challenges for the ammonia bunkering market. Recent industrial incidents, including an ammonia leak at a fertilizer plant in Iraq, underscore the importance of safety in bunkering operations.
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