Envision, a global leader in green technology, has successfully delivered certified green ammonia to the Terra Clove bunker facility. 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 manufactured by Envision Energy and synthesized using carbon-free hydrogen at the Chifeng Industrial Park in Inner Mongolia. It was then shipped by sea to South Korea’s LOTTE Fine Chemical Terminal, where it was pumped directly into the Terra Clove.
The huge ship
Green ammonia solves the key storage and transport limitations of renewable energy. It also provides a practical fuel for long-distance ocean shipping. This carbon-free energy source is produced using wind or solar energy to combine hydrogen extracted from water with atmospheric nitrogen and does not release carbon dioxide when burned.
Its high volumetric energy density overcomes the weight and cargo space limitations of batteries and compressed gases. This allows giant ships traveling across the ocean to travel global trade routes without having to stop to refuel.
A formal naming ceremony in South Korea recently marked the ship’s official launch. Built at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ Ulsan shipyard, this giant gas carrier is 230 meters long and has a carrying capacity of around 65,885 tons. Thanks to its extensive cargo capacity of 93,000 m3, the ship can transport both liquid ammonia and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) across international sea routes.
The huge ship has a two-stroke Everllence dual-fuel engine. It burns clean fuel. It can still switch to conventional oil if necessary, but its main purpose is clear: reducing lifecycle emissions on international trade routes.
“Equipped with ammonia dual-fuel propulsion, Terra Clove retains the flexibility to use conventional marine fuel while operating on green ammonia to achieve significant lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions reductions,” Envision’s press release states.
Make shipping environmentally friendly
The milestone connects the entire green ammonia value chain. Raw renewable energy in the windswept steppes of Inner Mongolia now powers cargo giants directly across oceans.
“This bunkering represents a historic milestone,” said Frank Yu, senior vice president of Envision Energy. “It confirms that green ammonia is a viable, scalable marine fuel today.”
Around 80 percent of world trade is carried out through shipping. Decarbonization has always been difficult. The battery power is not sufficient for long sea voyages, and there have been no certified supply chains for alternative fuels for a long time.
Now, as Envision expands its Chifeng plant to a planned annual capacity of 1.52 million tonnes of green ammonia, the shipping industry has a proven roadmap.
The Chifeng plant has ISO certification from Bureau Veritas, meets RFNBO and ISCC standards and produces 320,000 tons of green ammonia annually.
“With this successful fuel delivery, Envision Energy further solidifies its position as a global leader in green hydrogen and ammonia solutions, delivering reliable, scalable and certified green fuels to support the decarbonization of the maritime industry,” the company said.
This initiative supports global maritime decarbonization goals set by international regulators. Current International Maritime Organization frameworks aim to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping to zero by around 2050.
