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Ammonia

Report: 59% of respondents willing to sail on or work with ammonia-fuelled vessels

MMMCZCS survey report found majority of 2,000 respondents would be willing to work with ammonia but their acceptance of ammonia as a bunker fuel was conditional on appropriate training and certification.
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A survey found that the majority, approximately 59%, of respondents from across the maritime community were willing to sail on or work with ammonia-fuelled vessels, according to Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping (MMMCZCS) on Tuesday (22 October). 

This was one of the findings in MMMCZCS’ latest report exploring the perceptions of ammonia as a marine fuel among seafarers and shore based personnel. 

With the maritime industry moving towards low- or zero-carbon fuels to decarbonize, MMMCZCS said ammonia is emerging as an alternative marine fuel, with promising potential especially in the mid- to long term of the maritime energy transition. 

However, the properties of ammonia, including its toxicity and gaseous nature at ambient temperature, mean that its implementation as a marine fuel in scale will require much more than technical readiness. 

Addressing unique safety and operability challenges will be crucial to qualify ammonia as a safe marine fuel.

To support this focus, Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping, has undertaken a survey of over 2,000 respondents (including 1435 seafarers) across the maritime community to better understand their perceptions, concerns, and requests relating to ammonia as a marine fuel.

“In publishing this survey report, we aim to share the voices, concerns, and suggested ways forward raised by the community, who will be most directly impacted by the use of ammonia as a marine fuel,” said Martin Stenberg Eriksen, Head of Safety Leadership at MMMCZS. 

Ammonia as fuel will fundamentally alter many conventional fuel oil practices onboard vessels relating to activities such as bunkering, storage, transfer, combustion, pressure and temp management, vessel handling, maintenance and emergency preparedness. It is crucial that the industry engage and involve the people that would be affected and exposed to ammonia safety and operational risks.

Other key takeaways from the report are:

  • Respondents’ acceptance of ammonia as a marine fuel was conditional on appropriate training and certification. Top training priorities included management of ammonia leakage, emergency response and firefighting, maintenance and bunkering, and regulation.
  • Respondents’ primary safety concerns regarding ammonia as a marine fuel included toxicity and human health, leakage and emergency response, maintenance and storage, and air pollution.
  • The results from the survey can support the maritime industry to develop the regulations, guidelines, and training requirements that will create a safer working environment for the maritime community working with ammonia as a fuel.

 

Photo credit: Venti Views on Unsplash
Published: 24 October, 2024

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Ammonia

HPA and MB Energy develop safety concept for STS ammonia bunkering

HPA says the Port of Hamburg will become “bunker ready” for ammonia, laying the groundwork for safe and reliable ammonia bunkering in the future.
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July 22, 2026

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HPA and MB Energy develop safety concept for STS ammonia bunkering

The Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) and integrated energy company MB Energy on Tuesday (21 July) said they have completed a comprehensive risk analysis and developed a dedicated safety concept for ship-to-ship ammonia bunkering.

MB Energy said the analysis lays the groundwork for the safe introduction of ammonia as a future marine fuel.

“With our planned ammonia import terminal in Hamburg-Blumensand, MB Energy intends to provide the reliable land side supply infrastructure needed to support this transition across northern German ports,” it said in a social media post. 

Mabanaft Group was renamed to MB Energy last year and merged over 50 existing brands under one identity. 

Separately, HPA said the Port of Hamburg will become “bunker ready” for ammonia, laying the groundwork for safe and reliable ammonia bunkering in the future.

“The focus is in particular on container ships, cruise ships as well as RoRo and ConRo (Container/RoRo) ships,” it said. 

“We expect ammonia to establish itself as an alternative marine marine fuel in the coming years. With our preparatory work, we are already creating the conditions to welcome the first ammonia-powered ships in Hamburg and to bunker them safely.:

HPA added that the import terminal for ammonia planned by MB Energy from 2029 will make a decisive contribution to ensuring the reliable availability of ammonia as a bunker fuel in northern German ports in the long term. 

“The use of an ammonia bunker barge is considered a possible addition to the landside infrastructure to enable ship bunkering in the port and beyond in the future,” it said.

Related: Mabanaft Group renames as MB Energy, merging over 50 brands under one identity

 

Photo credit: Hamburg Port Authority
Published: 22 July, 2026

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Ammonia

EXMAR’s “ANTWERPEN” completes first commercial voyage using ammonia bunker fuel

During its voyage from China to India, the vessel achieved ammonia dual-fuel operation fully in line with our expectations and design, demonstrating that the technology works in commercial service.

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July 21, 2026

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EXMAR’s “ANTWERPEN” completes first commercial voyage using ammonia bunker fuel

Belgian shipowner EXMAR on Monday (20 July) announced the successful completion of gas carrier ANTWERPEN’s first commercial voyage using ammonia as a marine fuel. 

During its voyage from China to India, the vessel achieved ammonia dual-fuel operation fully in line with our expectations and design, demonstrating that the technology works in commercial service. 

“Together with our partners, we continue to fine-tune the systems as we build on this outstanding achievement. We are proud of our crew for their excellent pioneering work,” the company said in a social media post. 

Developed in close collaboration with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, WinGD, Nord Gas Solutions (formerly Wärtsilä Gas Solutions), and Lloyd’s Register, ANTWERPEN is capable of carrying up to 46,000 m³ of ammonia or LPG and trading with close to zero emissions when using low-carbon ammonia fuel. 

The vessel meets and exceeds current IMO emissions reduction targets, reducing greenhouse gases by up to 90% compared to conventional ships.

Manifold Times previously reported ANTWERPEN participated in a pipe-to-ship (PTS) ammonia bunkering operation in Ulsan Port.

The operation was carried out by Lotte Fine Chemical Co Ltd with 600 metric tonnes (mt) of green ammonia (NH3) supplied to ANTWERPEN.

Related: South Korea: Ulsan Port achieves ammonia PTS bunkering milestone

 

Photo credit: EXMAR
Published: 21 July, 2026

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KR, HD Hyundai tap first ammonia dual-fuel sea trial to develop vessel operating standards

Trial generated data on the vessel’s fuel supply system and engine, which will provide a technical foundation for KR’s future development of domestic guidelines for ammonia-fuelled ships.

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July 17, 2026

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KR, HD Hyundai tap first ammonia dual-fuel sea trial to develop vessel operating standards

Korean Register (KR) on Tuesday (14 July) said it is collaborating with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) to establish a domestic operating environment for ammonia-fuelled vessels under the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries’ Green Shipping Corridor Construction Support Project. 

The initiative supports the development of ammonia as one of the most promising next-generation marine fuels.

HHI recently conducted a sea trial of Korea’s first ammonia dual-fuel propulsion vessel. The trial generated operational data on the vessel’s fuel supply system and engine, which will provide a valuable technical foundation for KR’s future development of domestic guidelines for environmentally friendly vessel operations and supporting wider maritime decarbonisation efforts.

A spokesperson for HD Hyundai, said: “Drawing on our group’s R&D capabilities and on-site technical expertise, we have made meaningful progress in advancing the application of ammonia as a marine fuel. We expect this to help enhance a sustainable maritime ecosystem while strengthening the competitiveness of Korea’s shipbuilding industry.”

Kim Daeheon, Executive Vice President of KR’s R&D Division, added: “The close collaboration between KR and HD Hyundai has enabled us to build the technical foundation for introducing ammonia-fueled vessels in Korea. We will continue to drive national projects forward together with HD Hyundai and establish technical standards befitting the era of Green Shipping Corridors.”

 

Photo credit: HD Hyundai Heavy Industries
Published: 17 July, 2026

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