China completes world’s first commercial green ammonia bunkering operation

On Tuesday, 17 October 2026, China successfully executed the world’s first commercial ship-to-ship green ammonia bunkering operation. The Shenghang Yongle, the world's first dedicated liquid ammonia bunkering vessel, transferred 1,000 metric tons of green ammonia to CMB.TECH’s newly delivered ammonia-powered bulk carrier, Mineral Europa. This historic event took place in an anchorage off Zhoushan, located in East China’s Zhejiang province. The operation was jointly carried out by the Shenghang Yongle and the CMB.TECH group, with the green ammonia sourced from CEEC’s Songyuan Hydrogen Energy Industrial Park in Jilin province.

Operation Details

The Mineral Europa, a 210,000-tonne bulk carrier, departed for Australia shortly after the bunkering. According to Li Jingguang, chairman of CEEC Hydrogen Energy Co Ltd, this operation marks the first complete integration of the entire supply chain for green ammonia as a marine fuel, including production, storage, transportation, bunkering, and application.

Li further stated that China’s green ammonia industry is moving from its "small-scale demonstration" phase into “commercialized, normalized operations.” The green ammonia used in this operation was produced using renewable electricity at the Songyuan project. It then underwent a journey through Nanjing before reaching Zhoushan for bunkering.

Environmental and Commercial Benefits

Green ammonia is highly regarded as one of the most commercially viable zero-carbon fuels for ocean-going shipping. It can be produced using wind, solar, water, and air, achieving near-zero carbon emissions throughout its lifecycle. Additionally, it boasts high volumetric energy density, making it easy to liquefy and transport. The ammonia can also be seamlessly integrated into existing hazardous chemical storage and transportation infrastructure.

"This bunkering operation proves that China now has the capability to mass-produce green ammonia that meets international standards and construct a cross-regional green energy supply chain," stated Li Jingguang. "It demonstrates the advantages of China’s green ammonia in terms of its environmental attributes, cost competitiveness, and the maturity of its supporting industrial chain."

The Shenghang Yongle was designed specifically for this task, ensuring safe handling of the highly toxic fuel during the bunkering process. As part of the supervision by Chinese maritime authorities, special safety measures were implemented to manage these operations.

Future Outlook and Fleet Expansion

CMB.TECH plans to deliver 21 ammonia-powered vessels by 2029, with 18 dry bulk carriers, one container vessel, and two chemical tankers. The firm expects the majority of these ships to be operational within the next nine months.

The completion of this operation comes at a critical time for the global maritime sector as it transitions towards meeting its net-zero emission targets set by the International Maritime Organization. This achievement underscores China’s commitment to leading in zero-carbon shipping and highlights the potential for widespread adoption of green ammonia as a key marine fuel.

What this means for operators

The successful execution of this ship-to-ship green ammonia bunkering operation signals significant progress towards achieving net-zero emissions in international maritime transport. Operators can now look forward to more reliable and efficient alternatives, such as green ammonia, which promise lower environmental impact without compromising operational efficiency or vessel performance.

As China continues to build out its supply chain for green ammonia, other regions may follow suit, paving the way for a broader adoption of this fuel in the maritime industry. The successful demonstration by CMB.TECH and the Shenghang Yongle sets a strong precedent, encouraging further innovation and investment in sustainable marine fuels.