World’s first green ammonia bunkering of dual-fuel carrier shatters maritime barrier

Envision, a global green technology leader, has successfully supplied certified green ammonia to bunker the Terra Clove. The operation was the world’s first successful bunkering of a Very Large Ammonia Carrier (VLAC) equipped with dual-fuel ammonia propulsion. The green fuel was produced by Envision Energy, synthesized using zero-carbon hydrogen at its Chifeng Industrial Park in Inner Mongolia. It was then shipped across the sea to South Korea’s LOTTE Fine Chemical terminal, where it was pumped directly into the Terra Clove. The massive vessel Green ammonia solves the core storage and transport limitations of renewable energy. It also delivers a practical fuel for long-haul maritime shipping. Produced using wind or solar power to combine water-derived hydrogen with atmospheric nitrogen, this zero-carbon energy carrier releases no carbon dioxide during combustion. Its high volumetric energy density overcomes the weight and cargo space limitations of batteries and compressed gases. This allows massive ocean-bound ships to travel global trade routes without stopping to refuel. A formal naming ceremony in South Korea recently marked the official launch of the vessel. Built at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ Ulsan shipyard, this massive gas carrier measures 230 meters long and has a deadweight capacity of roughly 65,885 tonnes. Its expansive 93,000m3 cargo capacity allows the vessel to transport both liquid ammonia and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) across international ocean routes. The massive ship features a two-stroke Everllence dual-fuel engine. It burns clean fuel. It can still switch to conventional oil if needed, but its core purpose is clear: cutting lifecycle emissions across international trade routes. “Equipped with ammonia dual-fuel propulsion, the Terra Clove retains flexibility to use conventional marine fuel while operating on green ammonia to achieve significant lifecycle greenhouse gas emission reductions,” Envision noted in the press release. Making shipping green The milestone links the entire green ammonia value chain. Raw renewable energy in the windswept steppes of Inner Mongolia is now directly powering ocean-crossing cargo behemoths. “This bunkering marks a historic milestone,” said Frank Yu, Senior Vice President of Envision Energy. “It confirms that green ammonia is a viable, scalable marine fuel today.” Shipping carries roughly 80 percent of world trade. Decarbonizing it has always been difficult. Battery power falls short for long ocean journeys, and alternative fuels have long lacked certified supply chains. Now, with Envision expanding its Chifeng plant toward a planned 1.52 million tons of annual green ammonia capacity, the marine industry has a proven roadmap. Chifeng facility holds Bureau Veritas ISO certifications, satisfies RFNBO and ISCC standards, and produces 320,000 tons of green ammonia annually. “With this successful fuel supply, Envision Energy further solidifies its position as a global leader in green hydrogen and ammonia solutions, providing reliable, scalable, and certified green fuels to support the maritime industry’s decarbonization,” the company stated. This initiative supports global maritime decarbonization goals established by international regulators. Current frameworks set by the International Maritime Organization target net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping by or around 2050.Get the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.Mrigakshi is a science journalist who enjoys writing about space exploration, biology, and technological innovations. Her work has been featured in well-known publications including Nature India, Supercluster, The Weather Channel and Astronomy magazine. If you have pitches in mind, please do not hesitate to email her.