Ammonia emerges as the tanker industry's top future fuel choice - BIMCO

Half of participants at a tanker safety meeting hosted by BIMCO identified ammonia as the most viable fuel for 2040.

IMAGE: Getty Images

BIMCO noted growing interest in ammonia's potential as a zero-carbon fuel, even if safety challenges persist.

This supports the Global Maritime Forum’s forecast that ammonia could surpass LNG and become a leading low-emission marine fuel by the mid-2030s.

Ammonia's momentum as a future marine fuel has grown significantly in recent months.

The Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) recently announced that a successful ship-to-ship ammonia transfer trial in Australia demonstrated that such operations can be safely conducted at sea. Pilbara Ports Authority also plans to launch ammonia bunkering trials at Port Hedland by next year.

Further developments include DNV approving an ammonia bunkering vessel designed by Singapore-based SeaTech Solutions in partnership with Oceania Marine Energy. The vessel will supply low-carbon ammonia to dual-fuel bulk carriers at the Port of Dampier.

The Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping has unveiled a concept for a 3,500 TEU ammonia-capable container ship, while Skarv Shipping has placed an order with China’s Huanghai Shipbuilding for an ammonia dual-fuel vessel. Korean Register and Hanwha Ocean are also working together to develop an ultra-large ammonia carrier capable of both transporting and using ammonia as fuel.

Meanwhile, Swiss engine maker WinGD will supply ammonia dual-fuel engines for four new gas carriers ordered by Trafigura.

According to DNV’s database, three ammonia-capable vessels are currently in operation, with 37 more on order for delivery through 2029.

Promising but demanding option

At the BIMCO meeting, ammonia was described by Lloyd’s Register’s principal engineer Liam Blackmore as “a promising but demanding option, one that requires careful management of toxicity, risk communication, and emergency procedures."

This was reflected in a poll where 38% of respondents pointed to bunkering compatibility as a challenge, while 28% highlighted onboard safety risks.

Although confidence in ammonia is rising, 69% of participants said they are only moderately prepared to handle alternative fuels, and 80% cited significant training gaps in critical areas.

Seascale Energy’s William D.O. Andersen said that ammonia was “flagged as both capital-intensive and highly sensitive to safety protocols and cross-sector demand pressures.” 

Lloyd’s Register’s Blackmore also stressed that it's important to embed safety at every stage of deployment - from “vessel design and bunkering infrastructure to crew training and regulatory development.”

While forecasts continue to support ammonia’s role as a viable future fuel, safety and operational readiness remain pressing concerns.

By Tuhin Roy

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