First ship-to-ship ammonia bunker delivery completed in China

The ammonia carrier, Shenghang Yongle, has successfully completed the world’s first ship-to-ship ammonia bunkering with the supply of 1,000 tonnes of green ammonia to the ammonia-powered Newcastlemax bulk carrier, Mineral Europe, in Zhoushan, China.

The Shenghang Yongle, an ‘L21’ semi-refrigerated and semi-pressurised liquefied gas carrier designed by Sweden’s FKAB Marine Design, supplied the fuel to the 210,000dwt bulk carrier which is owned by Belgium’s CMB.TECH. Ammonia logistics specialist, Jiangsu Andefu Energy Development, which supplied the fuel, has described the operation as the ‘world’s first commercial ship-to-ship bunkering operation using green ammonia”.

The Swedish firm of naval architects, FKAB, originally developed the L21 design and was closely involved in the vessel’s conversion into an ammonia bunker vessel. The company assisted with the preparation of technical drawings, working closely with Chinese cargo-handling specialist firm, Gloryholder. 

Ammonia is likely to become an important transition fuel, experts believe, particularly in deep-sea sectors where large electrification systems are not practical. Green ammonia – produced from renewable energy –   provides a zero-carbon marine fuel option.

However, completely new and purpose-designed bunkering infrastructure will be required. Therefore, the successful Shenghang Yongle project marks an important step forward.

Peter Hermansson, FKAB Marine Design managing director, commented: “The completed bunkering operation is an important proof point for ammonia as a marine fuel. It shows how a flexible vessel platform, supported by the right engineering and safety systems, can become part of the infrastructure needed for shipping’s transition away from fossil fuels. We are proud that an FKAB-designed vessel has helped bring commercial ship-to-ship green ammonia bunkering into operational reality.”