Ammonia

DNV report: Ammonia shows notable progress as bunker fuel but barriers remain

First phase for its widespread adoption is to build, fuel, and operate a pioneering ammonia-powered fleet, crewed by competent personnel, and bunkering a few million tonnes of ammonia from a dozen ports.

Published

11 months ago

September 4, 2025

Admin

Moving from concept to early-stage implementation in just five years, ammonia has a path to becoming a low-GHG fuel alternative for deep-sea shipping, according to a new paper from DNV, published on Wednesday (3 September).

DNV’s new report, Ammonia in Shipping: Tracing the Emergence of a New Fuel, addresses the key barriers to the uptake of ammonia and outlines a two-phase pathway for its widespread adoption in shipping.

The first phase would see the building, fuelling, and operation of a pioneering ammonia-powered fleet consisting of a few dozen vessels, crewed by a few hundred competent personnel, and bunkering a few million tonnes of ammonia from a dozen ports. The second phase would include scale up with global infrastructure, production and IMO regulations.

Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, CEO of DNV Maritime, said: “The groundwork for ammonia as a fuel is being laid, and the orderbook proves it’s no longer just a theoretical fuel. Ammonia’s toxicity and high cost remain a challenge.

“With targeted financial support mechanisms for a pioneering fleet, supply and infrastructure developments and robust safety regulations, we can progress. While we have seen great progress recently, the next years will determine the role of blue and green ammonia in the future fuel mix.”

According to the report, ammonia as ship fuel has made measurable progress since 2020 across regulation, technology, and infrastructure. Safety frameworks have evolved from risk-based approvals to interim guidelines by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and annually updated class rules.

Technical readiness is advancing with 39 ammonia-fuelled vessels on order, commercial engines available, and the first use of the fuel demonstrated. Production of blue and green ammonia is currently low, but confirmed plans in place will see it rise to 14 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) by 2030. Bunkering infrastructure is also emerging, with trials completed in key ports including Singapore and Rotterdam.

“Scaling up use of ammonia as ship fuel requires a framework of standardized solutions that can be easily adopted across the industry,” said Linda Hammer, Principal Consultant at DNV and lead author.

“The current risk-based approval framework must be replaced by prescriptive regulations mandated by the IGF Code, production needs to be increased, and more ports must be able to supply green and blue ammonia – requiring harmonization of port safety standards and dissemination of lessons learned. Standardized training is also essential to ensure sufficient competent crew.”

Note: DNV’s new report titled ‘Ammonia in Shipping: Tracing the Emergence of a New Fuel’ can be downloaded here.

Photo credit: Venti Views on Unsplash
Published: 4 September, 2025

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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.

Published

12 hours ago

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.

Photo credit: EXMAR
Published: 21 July, 2026

Alternative Fuels

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.

Published

5 days ago

July 17, 2026

Admin

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

Bunker Fuel

Singapore: Bunker fuel sales up by 1.6% on year in June 2026

4.67 million mt of various marine fuel grades were delivered at the world’s largest bunkering port in June, up from 4.59 million mt recorded during the similar month in 2025.

Published

7 days ago

July 15, 2026

Admin

Sales of marine fuel at Singapore port increased by 1.6% on year in June 2026, according to data from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).

In total, 4.67 million metric tonnes (mt) (exact 4,669,100 mt) of various marine fuel grades were delivered at the world’s largest bunkering port in June, up from 4.59 million mt (4,594,700 mt) recorded during the similar month in 2025.

Deliveries of marine fuel oil, low sulphur fuel oil, ultra low sulphur fuel oil, marine gas oil and marine diesel oil in June (against on year) recorded respectively 2.03 million mt (+19.4% from 1.70 million mt), 2.20 million mt (-4.8% from 2.31 million mt), zero (-100% from 1,900 mt), 1,900 mt (-57.8% from 4,500 mt) and zero (from zero).

Bunker Jun

Bio-blended variants of marine fuel oil, low sulphur fuel oil, ultra low sulphur fuel oil, marine gas oil and marine diesel oil in June, (against on year) recorded respectively 5,300 mt (-86.3% from 38,800 mt), 30,700 mt (-73.1% from 114,300 mt), zero (from zero), zero (from zero) and zero (from zero). B100 biofuel bunkers, introduced in February last year, recorded 1,500 mt (+50% from 1,000 mt).

LNG and methanol sales were 55,000 mt (-0.72% from 55,400 mt) and zero (from zero) respectively. There were no recorded sales of ammonia for the month and so far since 2025.

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 15 July, 2026