A historic moment sailed into view on Friday when a vessel owned by China COSCO Shipping Corp., Ltd., at a terminal in Dalian, Liaoning Province in the northeast of the Chinese mainland, completed the world's first pure ammonia fuel bunkering operation.
Equipped with two full-pressure ammonia tanks flanking its main deck, the vessel—primarily used for port operations— hit an ammonia energy replacement ratio of 91%, dramatically cutting its reliance on diesel.
This green ammonia was produced by the world's largest green hydrogen and ammonia facility in Chifeng City, north of the Chinese mainland's Inner Mongolia Region. With a massive capacity of 1.52 million tonnes, the project leverages AI-driven power systems to link 100% green electricity directly to production.
Ammonia, long known as a chemical industry staple, is now emerging as a superstar fuel. Its high energy density and carbon-free combustion—yielding only water and nitrogen—make it a top contender for decarbonizing global shipping.
For a global fleet hungry for cleaner energy, this operation signals a turning point. As ports and shipbuilders seek scalable solutions, green ammonia could chart the course toward zero-emission seas.
Reference(s):
China uses green ammonia to fuel seafaring vessel for first time
cgtn.com
