A ship-to-ship ammonia bunkering demonstration at the Port of Rotterdam has provided evidence that the fuel can be handled safely within a working port environment, given the right safety protocols and regulatory structures are in place.
The Maersk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping announced the findings on Thursday, noting that the demonstration took place on April 12, 2025, as part of the EU-funded MAGPIE project. The exercise brought together several industry partners with the goal of testing the operational practicality of ammonia bunkering and identifying concrete safety measures to support its future use as a marine fuel.
What the Trial Established
According to Ship & Bunker, which reported on the center’s statement, the demonstration validated two key frameworks: the Port of Rotterdam’s own ammonia safety framework and the International Association of Ports and Harbours’ Port Readiness Tool, a resource designed to help ports assess their readiness for alternative marine fuels.
Project partners indicated that the lessons learned, the operational findings, and the safety recommendations from the Rotterdam trial could serve as a reference point for ports worldwide as they work to develop their own ammonia bunkering regulations and permitting processes.
Why Ammonia, and Why Now
Ammonia has attracted considerable attention as a candidate for shipping decarbonisation. However, its toxicity and the associated challenges around safe handling, storage, and bunkering have remained significant barriers to widespread adoption. Demonstrations such as this one are intended to help bridge the gap between theory and practical implementation.
The vessel side of the equation is also progressing. As reported by Ship & Bunker, two ammonia-fuelled gas carriers were unveiled in South Korea in April, described at the time as a world first, signalling that ammonia-capable vessels are beginning to enter the global fleet.
Does This Matter to You?
For shipping operators, port authorities, charterers, and bunkering professionals, this development is directly relevant. The validation of a working STS ammonia bunkering framework at a major European port represents a meaningful step toward regulatory and operational clarity for a fuel type that is increasingly part of long-term fleet planning conversations.
Ports looking to position themselves as alternative fuel hubs, as well as operators managing vessels on decarbonisation pathways, may find the safety findings and the Port Readiness Tool referenced in this trial to be useful reference points as industry standards continue to develop.
For those monitoring the bunkering landscape more broadly, the MAGPIE project’s outcomes add to a growing body of evidence shaping how ammonia will be regulated and supplied commercially in the years ahead.
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
