China has completed the world’s first green ammonia ship bunkering at Dalian Port. COSCO’s tugboat, Yuantuo-1, now replaces 91% of its fossil fuel consumption with green ammonia—marking a groundbreaking milestone for zero-carbon maritime operations.
Key Highlights
- The green ammonia is produced at a 500 MW renewable hydrogen-ammonia plant in Chifeng, Inner Mongolia, powered by solar, wind, and energy storage.
- The project is certified under ISCC Plus and meets RFNBO (Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin) standards.
- The Yuantuo-1 is equipped with an ammonia dual-fuel engine and officially classified as an “Ammonia Fuel Tug” by the China Classification Society.
Why It Matters
- Maritime shipping is one of the hardest sectors to decarbonize; this milestone demonstrates that large-scale, near-zero-carbon fuel is operationally feasible.
- The entire supply chain—from renewable power generation to green ammonia production and bunkering—has now been successfully validated.
- Dalian Port is emerging as a green energy hub in Northeast Asia, with the capability to support multiple sustainable marine fuels.
Challenges & Next Steps
- Wider adoption will require expanded ammonia bunkering infrastructure, enhanced safety regulations, and continued advancements in dual-fuel engine technology.
- Cost management, supply stability, and lifecycle emission verification remain essential issues for global scalability.
Bottom Line
Replacing 91% of a working tugboat’s fossil fuel with green ammonia is more than symbolic—it proves that low-carbon shipping is no longer a distant vision but an emerging commercial reality.