New academic research from the University College of London recommends immediate acceleration of ammonia deployment, helping to establish marine ammonia fuel within “commercial niches” by the end of the decade. While LNG and methanol generate some benefits, they risk competing with – rather than enabling – the long-term solution that is ZNZ (zero or near-zero emissions) marine ammonia fuel.
Pilbara Ports and Yara Pilbara will collaborate on government and stakeholder advocacy, developing a training program for safe ammonia handling, and planning of necessary fueling infrastructure at the Ports of Dampier and Port of Port Hedland.
In our latest episode of Project Features, we explored progress at AM Green's AMGA-K1 renewable ammonia project in Kakinada, India, including architecture for renewable electricity supply, technology partners, RFNBO pre-certification and offtake agreements. India could potentially become a key global ammonia bunker fuel hub, and has an ecosystem of RFNBO-compliant ammonia production sites emerging.
Mitsubishi Shipbuilding has shipped two critical marine fuel system elements to Japan Engine Corporation for integration with J-ENG’s two-stroke ammonia engine, which passed a rigorous testing regime late last year. The engines will power NYK’s ammonia-fueled medium gas carrier vessels, with the first scheduled to enter service later this year.
Engine testing approval clears another hurdle for the vessels to hit the water and enter commercial service, with EXMAR planning sea trials “in the coming months”.
Beginning in Rotterdam, the newly-opened route visits Oslo, Brevik, and Bremerhaven to deliver fertilizer weekly, and will be serviced by the ammonia-powered Yara Eyde from later this year.
Wärtsilä will provide its four-stroke, ammonia-powered engine to Skarv Shipping Solutions for deployment on a new timber transport vessel to be built in China. Delivery of the full equipment set – including fuel gas supply system, release mitigation system, and a selective catalytic reduction system for exhaust treatment – is anticipated in late 2026.
Via ENOVA, the Norwegian government has awarded $43 million to Azane for the development of three ammonia terminals, and $29 million to Amon Maritime for the construction of three new ammonia-powered bulk carriers.
Despite the successes and progress made in 2025, the year remains a missed opportunity for ammonia energy. The first complete supply chains for renewable ammonia are emerging, and some 600,000 tons of annual production capacity is set to be online in northeast China early next year. Maritime engines, cracking, and power & heat technology solutions also made their mark, moving from feasibility into deployment. But disappointing outcomes at the IMO and government support that failed to spark market development remains an issue, with plenty of critical, detail-heavy work ahead of us in 2026.
CMB.TECH has signed an off-take agreement for renewable ammonia produced by Energy China at its now-operational Songyuan project in Jilin Province, northeast China. CMB.TECH will also acquire a minority stake in Jiangsu Andefu (ADF) one of China's largest ammonia supply chain companies and China’s first exporter of liquid ammonia in 2011.