Exmar has confirmed that its newly delivered ammonia-fuelled vessel, the Antwerpen, has completed its first commercial voyage using ammonia as marine fuel, according to a company post on LinkedIn reported by Ship & Bunker.
The 46,000 m3 midsize gas carrier sailed from China to India in what Exmar described as a demonstration voyage for the vessel’s dual-fuel ammonia technology. Ship & Bunker reports that the company said the ammonia-fuelled operation performed in line with expectations and the vessel’s original design, indicating the technology can support day-to-day commercial operations.
Delivery and Bunkering Details
Exmar took delivery of the Antwerpen last month, according to Ship & Bunker. Prior to entering commercial service, the vessel bunkered green ammonia at the Port of Ulsan, marking one of the early instances of green ammonia bunkering supporting a commercial voyage.
The Antwerpen is the first vessel in a series of four ammonia-fuelled ships being built for Exmar, Ship & Bunker reports, suggesting the company is committing to a broader rollout of the fuel technology across its fleet rather than a single pilot project.
Industry Context
Ship & Bunker notes that ammonia engines are becoming commercially available and that shipowners are beginning to place orders for ammonia-fuelled tonnage, pointing to gradual industry movement toward adopting the fuel as an alternative to conventional bunker fuels. However, the outlet also states that considerable work remains to build out bunkering infrastructure for ammonia, given the fuel’s toxicity and the strict safety precautions required for its handling and storage.
Does this matter to you?
This development is relevant to those tracking the availability of alternative marine fuels and the pace at which ammonia bunkering infrastructure is being established. Vessel operators and charterers considering ammonia-fuelled newbuildings may find the Antwerpen’s voyage a useful reference point for how the fuel performs in actual trading conditions rather than in testing environments alone.
For those involved in bunker supply and port operations, Exmar’s confirmation that ammonia was sourced at the Port of Ulsan highlights one of the currently available bunkering locations for the fuel. As Ship & Bunker notes, however, infrastructure development remains at an early stage industry-wide, and ammonia’s toxicity means safety protocols will continue to shape how and where bunkering can occur. The broader commercial and regulatory implications of wider ammonia adoption are not detailed in the source material.
Gulf Bunkering does not provide operational or security guidance. This article is for informational purposes only. Operators should consult flag state authorities, P&I clubs, and relevant advisories for decisions relating to transit planning.
Sources: Ship & Bunker
