Gas Carrier Becomes World’s First Operational Ammonia Bunker Vessel | Mariner News

A 5,500 m³ semi-refrigerated and semi-pressurised liquefied gas carrier, the Shenghang Yongle, has been converted into what designer FKAB describes as the world’s first operational ammonia transport and bunkering vessel. This development directly addresses a critical supply-chain gap that FKAB indicates has hindered the wider adoption of ammonia as a marine fuel.

The conversion, led by Jiangsu Andefu Energy Development with design work by FKAB and cargo-handling supplier Gloryholder, enables the Chinese-flagged vessel to perform ship-to-ship ammonia fuel bunkering. The Shenghang Yongle also holds the first ammonia bunkering class certificate issued by the China Classification Society (CCS).

This certification marks a significant regulatory milestone, providing a clear classification standard for ammonia bunkering operations. Such approvals are fundamental to building confidence and supporting further investment in ammonia as a viable alternative in the decarbonization pathway for shipping.

Crucially, the vessel retains its existing capabilities for LPG and vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) cargo trades alongside its new ammonia bunkering function. This multi-cargo operational flexibility offers a pragmatic approach to de-risking early investments in ammonia bunkering infrastructure, allowing the asset to generate revenue from conventional trades as the ammonia fuel market scales.

The strategy of converting an existing gas carrier, rather than commissioning a newbuild, demonstrates a potentially faster and more capital-efficient pathway to establish initial ammonia bunkering networks. This approach leverages in-service tonnage and accelerates market readiness, offering a blueprint for other owners with suitable vessels to contribute to the emerging ammonia fuel ecosystem.