Ammonia and methanol need ‘concentrated push’ to scale in shipping – GMF

Bunkering remains the biggest barrier for ammonia, while green molecule supply poses the main hurdle for methanol, according to a new Global Maritime Forum (GMF) survey.

IMAGE: Green ammonia bunkering operation at Dalian, China. Envision Energy

GMF’s Getting to Zero Coalition surveyed around 40 companies investing in or showing interest in adding ammonia or methanol to their future bunker fuel mix.

The report noted that operators plan to initially use only 25–50% ammonia on dual-fuel ships.

“The first ammonia-capable ships are also not expected to use ammonia when manoeuvring or at port, and questions remain about when or whether this will happen,” it noted.

For ammonia, the survey found bunkering infrastructure to be the weakest link for its global uptake.

A major sticking point seems to be the "form" of ammonia bunkering infrastructure, though early success with ship-to-ship trials has reinforced calls for dedicated ammonia bunker vessels to support the fuel’s rollout.

Knowledge and comfort levels around ammonia bunkering differ widely from port to port, underscoring the need for closer collaboration between ship operators, port authorities and surrounding communities to ensure safe adoption.

Methanol’s operational entry into shipping has been relatively straightforward due to its liquid state. While operators face some “teething issues” with engines and spare parts, these are expected to be resolved soon.

Instead, the bigger challenge lies in scaling up green methanol supply.

“Most methanol used on ships to date has been grey methanol, with only small volumes of bio-methanol being bunkered since 2023 and the first volumes of e-methanol being bunkered in May 2025,” it said.

Green methanol is available for bunkering, particularly in China, but its high premiums and the dependence on long-term offtake deals remain key barriers to wider uptake.

The report concludes that overcoming these barriers will require a “concentrated push” towards infrastructure and supply before ammonia and methanol can scale meaningfully as marine fuels.

By Konica Bhatt

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