Watch: Port Of Rotterdam Successfully Conducts First Ammonia Bunkering Pilot

The Port of Rotterdam has completed a successful ammonia bunkering pilot between two vessels. The test conducted on April 12, 2025, prepares the port for ships powered by clean ammonia.

During the pilot, 800 cubic meters of cold liquid ammonia, chilled to -33 degree Celsius was transferred between two ships.

The operation took place alongside a new quay at the APM terminal in Maasvlakte 2 and lasted around 2.5 hours.

According to the Port of Rotterdam Authority, the entire process was carried out safely and without any leakage, confirming that ship-to-ship ammonia bunkering can be done securely in a port environment.

Since ammonia does not release carbon dioxide when burned, it is a promising alternative to traditional marine fuels.

Although grey ammonia was used in this pilot, it shares the same chemical structure as clean ammonia, making it suitable for testing safety and handling procedures.

Several parties collaborated to make the pilot successful.

OCI, which owns and operates the port’s ammonia terminal, teamed up with Trammo, the company that provided the two tankers carrying the ammonia.

James Fisher Fendercare offered the specialised equipment and technical support needed for the ship-to-ship transfer.

Video Credits: Port of Rotterdam/YouTube

The operation was carried out at a berth location managed by APM Terminal and Victrol, a bunker barge operator, shared its bunkering expertise during the planning stages.

The DCMR Environmental Protection Agency, the Joint Fire Service (GB), and Rijnmond Safety Region (VRR) were involved in overseeing the process to ensure everything ran safely and according to plan.

The pilot was coordinated by the Port of Rotterdam Authority.

The successful completion of this pilot raises the port’s readiness for ammonia bunkering to Level 7, according to the international Port Readiness Level (PRL) tool.

This tool helps ports evaluate their preparedness for handling new marine fuels by looking at regulations, infrastructure, safety protocols, and supply logistics.

For ammonia, this pilot is the end of Level 6 and readiness for Level 7, meaning the port is now capable of handling ammonia bunkering projects on a case-by-case basis.

Rotterdam has already implemented this readiness framework fully for LNG and largely for methanol.

As the world’s second-largest bunker port, with about ten million tonnes of fuel supplied each year, Rotterdam is working to make all low-carbon marine fuels accessible.

This ammonia is part of the European Union-funded MAGPIE programme. MAGPIE brings together European ports, research centres, academic institutions, and private companies to develop sustainable innovations in port logistics.

The ammonia pilot is one of several test projects under this programme.

The Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping is also involved and will help share the knowledge and experience gained from this pilot with the international maritime community.

Reference: portofrotterdam

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