Commodities logistics firm Trammo, global energy supplier OCI and ship-to-ship specialist James Fisher Fendercare have conducted an ammonia bunkering pilot between two vessels at a terminal in the port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands.
It marks an important step in preparing the port for vessels bunkering clean ammonia, which releases no carbon dioxide during combustion. The first ships capable of using ammonia as a bunker fuel are expected in 2026 or 2027.
The pilot involved transferring 800 cbm of liquid, cold grey ammonia – which shares the same chemical properties as clean ammonia – at -33°C between two ships. It took about two-and-a-half hours and was conducted alongside a new quay at the Maasvlakte 2 APM terminal.
The demonstration validated the port of Rotterdam safety framework for ammonia bunkering, establishing that it is possible to do this safely and without ammonia release in the port.
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