Ammonia

ENGINE on The Week in Alt Fuels: Ammonia gains ground for 2030 entry

Recent developments in propulsion technologies and bunkering infrastructure suggest that ammonia could be included in the commercial bunker fuel mix before the decade is over.

Published

1 year ago

February 17, 2025

Admin

ENGINE on The Week in Alt Fuels: Ammonia gains ground for 2030 entry

Recent developments in propulsion technologies and bunkering infrastructure suggest that ammonia could be included in the commercial bunker fuel mix before the decade is over.

Japanese shipbuilder Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding (Mitsui E&S) has started prototype testing of German engine maker MAN Energy Solutions’ (MAN ES) two-stroke ammonia dual-fuel engine at its Tamano Factory in Japan. Theoretically, prototype testing bridges the gap between concept and real-world application and shows whether an engine is commercially viable before large-scale deployment.

MAN ES and Mitsui E&S have not yet specified a timeline for project completion, but successful prototype testing could suggest that commercial deployment may be expected soon.

Swiss engine-maker Winterthur Gas & Diesel (WinGD) also confirmed that it will launch its ammonia dual-fuel engine by June 2025, while Finland’s Wärtsilä already introduced its ammonia dual-fuel internal combustion engine (ICE) last year.

WinGD has already secured 30 orders for its ammonia-capable engines across bulk carriers, container ships, tankers and LPG/ammonia carriers. Interestingly, classification society DNV reports that 30 ammonia-capable newbuilds are currently on order for delivery towards 2027, but it remains unclear whether all of them will be equipped with WinGD’s engines.

While ammonia ICEs mark a significant step toward its potential adoption as a commercial marine fuel, they come with one caveat – the need for pilot fuel, typically diesel, to ignite ammonia due to its high auto-ignition temperature. Diesel pilot introduces a carbon footprint, which undermines green ammonia’s zero-emission potential.

To address this issue, South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean is developing an ammonia gas turbine that could eliminate the need for pilot fuel altogether. The company aims to debut an ammonia gas turbine-powered LNG carrier by 2028, potentially opening the door to 100% ammonia-based propulsion.

Bunkering infrastructure is also a critical factor in enabling ammonia’s commercial adoption.

South Korea has committed $410 million to establish LNG, methanol and ammonia storage facilities at its major ports by 2030. In addition, the country has allocated $270 million to construct four bunkering-only vessels, designed specifically for LNG and ammonia refueling.

Bunker supplier China Shipping & Sinopec successfully bunkered an ammonia-powered tugboat at the COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry dockyard in China, demonstrating that safe and efficient ammonia bunkering can be carried out with the right infrastructure and handling procedures.

“The successful bunkering has effectively tested the integrity and efficiency of the company’s bunkering equipment system, gathered valuable knowledge and experience for the deployment of ammonia fuel in large vessels,” COSCO Shipping said.

Meanwhile, Norwegian ammonia producer Yara Clean Ammonia has signed the world’s first time-charter agreement for an ammonia-capable medium gas carrier with Japanese firm NYK. The vessel is set for delivery this November.

Despite these advancements, ammonia’s high toxicity presents significant safety challenges during bunkering operations and storage. Stringent safety protocols must be followed to mitigate the risk of exposure, especially given ammonia’s potential hazards to human health.

Ammonia bunkering and transfer pilots can help identify the key steps involved in safe fuel handling, Lynn Loo, chief executive of the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD), told ENGINE. Both operations require specialised equipment, robust containment measures, and strict handling procedures to minimise the risk of ammonia leaks during fuel transfers between vessels.

In other news this week, Swedish e-fuel company Liquid Wind plans to develop another 100,000 mt/year e-methanol production plant in Sweden. Liquid Wind has partnered with Swedish power utility company Övik Energi to set up renewable electricity input to power e-methanol and green hydrogen production.

South Korean shipping firm H-Line Shipping has placed an order with shipbuilding company HJ Shipbuilding & Construction (HJSC) for an LNG dual-fuel bunkering vessel. The 18,000-cbm capacity vessel will feature a dual-fuel propulsion system, allowing it to run on both LNG and conventional fuel oil.

Danish pump manufacturer Svanehøj will supply deepwell CO2 cargo pumps for both the onshore storage facility and the first liquefied CO2 carrier in the UK-based energy company INEOS Energy-led Project Greensand. The deepwell CO2 cargo pumps for both the LCO2 carrier and the onshore facility at Port Esbjerg are set for delivery in the third quarter of 2025.

Photo credit: Yara
Source: ENGINE
Published: 17 February, 2025

Up Next

IBIA supports Port of Ceuta move to implement mandatory MFMs for bunkering ops

Don't Miss

Singapore: Bunker fuel sales down by 9.1% on year in January 2025

Ammonia

AM Green plans to build green ammonia plant at Indian port

Initiative also includes development of green ammonia handling, storage and bunkering infrastructure, pilot bunkering operations, safety procedures and training programmes, says VOC Port Authority.

Published

17 hours ago

June 3, 2026

Admin

VO Chidambaranar (VOC) Port Authority on Friday (29 May) said it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India’s ammonia producer AM Green Ammonia to collaborate in the development of a green ammonia production plant.

The plant will have a capacity of one million tonnes per annum (MTPA) at Tuticorin.

The initiative also includes development of green ammonia handling, storage and bunkering infrastructure, pilot bunkering operations, safety procedures and training programmes.

The project is expected to support the development of green fuel corridors connecting VOC Port with major ports in Europe and Asia, thereby strengthening India’s position in the global green fuels value chain.

VOC Port also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bureau Veritas (India) Pvt. Ltd., to collaborate on Green Port certification, emissions accounting, ESG reporting, safety validation, development of green bunkering practices, and establishment of a Centre of Excellence for green fuels and sustainability.

The port also plans for an upcoming 750 m³ green methanol bunkering facility.

Photo credit: Naveed Ahmed on Unsplash
Published: 3 June, 2026

Alternative Fuels

DNV on IMO MSC 111: Interim guidelines for using hydrogen, ammonia as marine fuels approved

Highlights of IMO’s MSC 111 include approved interim guidelines for ships using hydrogen and ammonia cargo as fuels as well as endorsed work plans to address regulatory safety barriers to alternative fuels.

Published

1 week ago

May 26, 2026

Admin

Classification society DNV on Saturday (2 May) released technical and regulatory news on the highlights of IMO’s MSC 111 including approved interim guidelines for ships using hydrogen and ammonia cargo as marine fuels as well as endorsed work plans to address regulatory safety barriers to alternative fuels and new technologies.

The following are excerpts of the article:

The 111th session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 111) was held from 13 to 22 May 2026. The adoption of a new goal-based Code for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) marks a key milestone in the IMO’s work to ensure that the regulatory framework keeps pace with the rapid development of shipping technologies. MSC 111 also approved revised Explanatory Notes for the Safe Return to Port concept for passenger ships, as well as draft amendments to the IGC Code for gas carriers to incorporate a decade of Unified Interpretations, turning operational experience into clearer and more consistent requirements.

Training for seafarers on alternative fuels and new technologies

MSC 111 approved new “Interim guidelines on training for seafarers on ships using methyl/ethyl alcohol as fuel”, as well as new “Interim guidelines on training for seafarers on ships using amm onia as fuel”.

The fuel-specific guidelines support the generic “Interim guidelines on training for seafarers on ships using alternative fuels and new technologies to support the reduction of GHG emissions from international shipping” (STCW. 7/Circ.25),which were approved by MSC 110 in 2025.

MSC 111 further endorsed the work plan for the further development of training provisions for seafarers on ships using alternative fuels and new technologies.

Ships using hydrogen as fuel

MSC 111 approved “Interim using hydrogen as fuel” guidelines for the safety of ships

Ships using ammonia cargo as fuel

MSC 111 approved “Interim guidelines for use of ammonia cargo as fuel on gas carriers”. These guidelines aim to support the safe handling of ammonia as fuel, with main focus on areas outside the cargo areas to ensure safety for the crew and ship.

IGC Code – ships carrying gases or low flashpoint fuels

MSC 111 approved draft amendments to the IGC Code to incorporate the large number of Unified Interpretations (UIs) developed since the latest major review of the code, which entered into force in 2016. The primary objective of the draft amendments is to remove ambiguity and promote the consistent implementation of the IGC Code requirements.

The draft amendments to the IGC Code are expected to enter into force on 1 July 2028, subject to adoption by MSC 112 (December 2026).

The draft amendments to the IGC Code will apply to ships constructed on or after 1 July 2028, i.e. ships:

for which the building contract is placed on or after 1 July 2028; or in the absence of a building contract, the keels of which are laid or which are at a similar stage of construction on or after 1 January 2029; or the delivery of which is on or after 1 July 2032.

Draft amendments to the model form of the International Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Liquefied Gases in Bulk in Appendix 2 of the IGC Code were approved to reflect the three-date application provision.

The following MSC Circulars, containing UIs to the IGC Code, are expected to be suspended upon adoption and entry into force of the IGC Code amendments:

MSC.1/Circ.1543, MSC.1/Circ.1559, MSC.1/Circ.1590,
MSC.1/Circ.1606, MSC.1/Circ.1617, MSC.1/Circ.1625,
MSC.1/Circ.1651, MSC.1/Circ.1669 and MSC.1/Circ.1679.

Note: The full article can be found here.

Photo credit: Venti Views on Unsplash
Published: 26 May, 2026

Ammonia

Singapore authorises ITOCHU subsidiary to conduct ammonia bunkering trials

ITOCHU plans to conduct demonstration trials in collaboration with MOL, supplying ammonia fuel to dual-fuel Capesize bulkers within the port of Singapore during the last quarter of 2027.

Published

2 weeks ago

May 22, 2026

Admin

ITOCHU orders world’s first ammonia bunkering vessel for Singapore demonstration project

ITOCHU Corporation (ITOCHU) on Wednesday (20 May) announced that the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has granted authorisation to ZETA Bunkering Pte Ltd (ZETA), a wholly owned subsidiary of ITOCHU, to conduct ammonia bunkering trials in Singapore.

The authorisation was granted following MPA’s review of ZETA’s submissions, which included comprehensive safety studies, risk assessments, and business plans for ammonia bunkering in Singapore.

The ammonia bunkering trials to be conducted under this authorisation will serve to verify the technical readiness, operational protocols, infrastructure, and technologies, to assess and inform the development of safe and environmentally sustainable ammonia bunkering practices in Singapore. The authorisation was issued on 27 April and will become effective on 15 May for a trial period up to two years subject to MPA’s prevailing regulatory framework.

In June 2025, as part of ITOCHU’s integrated project for developing and owning of ammonia-fuelled vessels and the establishment of a global supply chain for ammonia as marine fuel, ITOCHU placed an order for the world’s first newbuilding ammonia bunker vessel, through Clean Ammonia Bunkering Shipping Pte Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of ITOCHU. The vessel is being constructed by Sasaki Shipbuilding, will be flagged under the Singapore Registry of Shipping and is expected to be delivered in September 2027.

The authorisation will accelerate ITOCHU’s initiatives to decarbonise international shipping. Specifically, ITOCHU plans to conduct demonstration trials in collaboration with Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL), supplying ammonia fuel from the ammonia bunker vessel to dual-fuel Capesize bulkers, jointly owned by CMB.TECH NV (Belgium) and MOL, and chartered by MOL, within the port of Singapore during the last quarter of 2027, subject to the relevant regulatory approvals.

Through these demonstrations and subsequent ammonia bunkering trial operations under the authorisation, ITOCHU will work closely with MPA and other maritime stakeholders to develop infrastructure, technologies, and operational standards for ammonia bunkering that prioritise safety and environmental sustainability. ITOCHU will also formulate detailed implementation plans, conduct risk assessments, and establish emergency response measures, ensuring that safety and environmental protection remain paramount.

These trials will enable ITOCHU to establish safe and sustainable ship-to-ship bunkering operations using ammonia as marine fuel, with the aim of commercialising the ammonia bunkering business in Singapore and at major maritime hubs worldwide.

Photo credit: ITOCHU Corporation
Published: 22 May, 2026