World’s First Ship-To-Ship Green Ammonia Bunkering, China sets world record

October 19, 2026

BEIJING, China--Shenghang Yongle, an existing operating ammonia carrier, operated by Jiangsu Andefu Energy Development Co., Ltd., has completed a conversion enabling ship-to-ship, or STS, liquid ammonia fuel bunkering, becoming the world’s first operational vessel equipped with such capability. according to the WORLD RECORD ACADEMY.

"The Shenghang Yongle is the world's first operational liquid ammonia bunkering vessel, which achieved a historic milestone in October 2026 by completing the globe's first commercial ship-to-ship green ammonia refuelling.

Vessel Overview

Type: Converted liquefied gas/ammonia carrier (dual-purpose for liquid ammonia, LPG, and VCM).
Capacity: 5,547 cubic meters.
Deadweight: 4,626 tonnes.
Builder: China Merchants Jinling Dingheng Shipbuilding, designed by Swedish firm FKAB.
Manager: Shenghang Shipping (China).

Key Milestone

The Event: On October 13, 2026, off the anchorage of Zhoushan, China, the Shenghang Yongle pumped 1,000 metric tonnes of certified green ammonia into the Mineral Europa (a 210,000-tonne bulk carrier owned by Belgium's CMB.TECH)
Green Fuel Source: The ammonia was produced at a wind- and solar-powered facility in Songyuan, Jilin Province, operated by China Energy Engineering.
Significance: It marks the transition of zero-carbon ammonia shipping from trial phases to a real commercial operation, cutting greenhouse gas emissions by over 90% compared to conventional diesel.

"Equipment and Facilities

The vessel "Shenghang Yongle" is an upgraded and refitted conventional ammonia carrier, featuring an ammonia fuel bunkering function and equipped with a liquid ammonia bunkering system, a maintenance support system, a security system, and a cargo vapor recovery system. The operating conditions of core equipment, including ammonia fuel supply, leak detection, and emergency inerting, are key items for inspection by maritime authorities," says Baidu Wiki.

Future Plans

"In the next step, Nanjing Maritime Safety Administration will summarize the experience gained in this support operation, institutionalize standards for the supervision and service of ammonia-fueled vessels, optimize cross-departmental coordination mechanisms, continuously raise the level of port supervision and services, facilitate the green, low-carbon and high-quality development of Nanjing's port and shipping industry, and support the implementation of the national "dual carbon" strategy."

"The conversion of Shenghang Yongle marks the first time an operating vessel has been classed for ship-to-ship liquid ammonia fuel bunkering. The breakthrough also highlights the increasingly important role of CMB.TECH, which is simultaneously building an ammonia-powered fleet, securing Chinese green ammonia supply and participating in another pioneering bunkering project with ITOCHU and MOL in Singapore," Linked in says.

"Shenghang Yongle, operated by Jiangsu Andefu Energy Development Co., Ltd., has completed a conversion enabling ship-to-ship, or STS, liquid ammonia fuel bunkering, becoming the world’s first operational vessel equipped with such capability. At the same time, the vessel has received the first ammonia bunkering class certificate issued by China Classification Society, or CCS. The milestone moves ammonia bunkering beyond conceptual studies, approval-in-principle projects and newbuilding plans into an existing commercial vessel that has been physically converted and classed for the task."

"The Shenghang Yongle is now the world’s first operational ammonia bunker vessel, and its conversion marks a real turning point—not just in technology, but in supply chain viability. Originally a semi-refrigerated liquefied gas carrier with a 5,500 m³ capacity, the vessel was designed by FKAB Marine Design and built at China Merchants Shipbuilding Industry Dingheng for Shenghang Shipping," the Maritime Technology Review says.

"It wasn’t built as a specialist; it was built as a workhorse. That flexibility proved critical. With tanks rated to −48°C and dual reliquefaction systems already in place, the vessel’s core systems could be adapted for fuel transfer without rebuilding from scratch.

Jiangsu Andefu Energy Development led the conversion in close cooperation with China Classification Society, while FKAB—together with Gloryholder—prepared the technical drawing documentation. The work wasn’t cosmetic. Modifications to the bunkering system, new operating procedures, risk assessments, and emergency-response protocols were all rewritten around ammonia’s challenges: toxicity, material compatibility, low-temperature handling, and leak detection."