The Port of Rotterdam has successfully completed its first ammonia bunkering pilot, transferring 800m³ of ammonia between two vessels, safely and without emissions. This is a key milestone in preparing major ports for ammonia as a marine fuel and a strong signal for the future of ammonia-fueled shipping and the VLAC segment.

With the first ammonia-powered vessels expected to enter the market in 2026, this pilot confirms that safe, large-scale bunkering is feasible under operational conditions. The port now reaches Port Readiness Level 7, meaning regulated ammonia bunkering can proceed on a project basis.

Ammonia infrastructure catching up with demand
As the world’s second-largest bunker hub, Rotterdam’s progress shows that infrastructure is beginning to align with demand. For the VLAC segment and ammonia stakeholders, this marks another step toward commercial viability and real market momentum.