Exmar takes delivery of world's first ammonia dual-fuel oceangoing vessel

Belgian gas transportation firm Exmar has taken delivery of the world’s first oceangoing ammonia-powered dual fuel vessel.

IMAGE: World's first ammonia-powered vessel Antwerpen. EXMAR

The midsize gas carrier, Antwerpen, can run both on ammonia and conventional fuel, and is capable of carrying around 46,000 cbm of ammonia, or LPG. The vessel can sail with close to zero emissions when it burns ammonia.

The vessel was built by South Korean shipbuilder HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and is the first in the series of four ammonia dual-fuel midsize gas carriers, each of which is named after a Belgian city.

Another ammonia dual-fuel vessel Arlon is scheduled for delivery in July 2026.

“Ammonia propulsion is no longer theoretical - we are deploying it. Change comes through execution, not debate. This achievement reflects collective expertise and our commitment to drive sustainable shipping forward,” Exmar chief executive Carl-Antoine Saverys said.

The vessel will be powered by Swiss engine developer Winterthur Gas & Diesel’s (WinGD) X52DF-A ammonia-fuelled engine to the vessel.

The two-stroke engine features high-pressure ammonia injection and is supported by a pilot fuel dose of around 5% at full load.

WinGD said it has received 40 orders for ammonia powered engines for installation on gas and bulk carriers, tankers and container vessels.

By Nachiket Tekawade

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