LOTTE Fine Chemical achieved the world’s first commercial ammonia bunkering, advancing carbon-free shipping and global clean energy transition.
LOTTE Fine Chemical has made history by becoming the first company in the world to successfully commercialize ammonia bunkering, which refers to supplying ammonia as marine fuel for ships. Announced on April 23, this achievement marks a significant breakthrough in the global effort to transition toward carbon-free energy solutions and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. It represents the first successful commercialization of a complete clean energy supply chain where renewable energy generated from wind and solar power is converted into hydrogen and ammonia, transported internationally, and finally used as fuel for marine transportation.
This milestone is especially important because it demonstrates a practical and scalable way to address climate change by replacing conventional fossil fuels with environmentally friendly alternatives. In March, LOTTE Fine Chemical became the first company worldwide to import green ammonia through international trade. This green ammonia was produced entirely using renewable energy by Envision in Inner Mongolia, making it a truly sustainable energy source. On April 23, at the Port of Ulsan, LOTTE Fine Chemical supplied this imported green ammonia as marine fuel to the world’s first ammonia-powered vessel, which was constructed by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries.
Although ammonia fuel had previously been tested in pilot and demonstration projects, this event marked the first time it was used commercially in real-world operations. The ammonia-powered vessel involved in this milestone has a cargo capacity of 45,000 cubic meters and measures 190 meters in length with a height of 18.8 meters, highlighting the large-scale practicality of ammonia as a marine fuel source.
As the International Maritime Organization (IMO) pushes toward achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, shipping companies across the world are increasingly investing in ammonia-powered vessels that rely on carbon-free fuels. This makes LOTTE Fine Chemical’s achievement highly relevant to the future of global shipping and maritime sustainability.
The success of this project was made possible through strong cooperation between government institutions, regulatory bodies, and industry leaders. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, along with the Ulsan Regional Office of Oceans and Fisheries, the Ulsan Port Authority, and the Korean Register (KR), played crucial roles in creating the necessary regulations and institutional support. Their efforts included running pilot projects for eco-friendly fuel supply, registering ammonia fuel suppliers, establishing safety management systems, and developing technical safety standards based on detailed risk assessments.
LOTTE Fine Chemical also benefited from its strategic location near Ulsan Port, which has Asia’s largest ammonia terminal infrastructure. In 2025, the company became Korea’s first officially registered ammonia marine fuel supplier. Following the successful import of green ammonia produced entirely from renewable sources, the company has now completed its first commercial fuel supply to an ammonia-powered ship.
Ulsan Metropolitan City further strengthened this progress by being designated in May 2025 as a regulatory-free special zone for ammonia bunkering. As Korea’s leading hydrogen hub with the country’s largest hydrogen production and utilization infrastructure, Ulsan is expected to play a major role in the development of sustainable marine fuels.
Ammonia (NH3) is gaining attention as an ideal clean fuel because it is carbon-free and environmentally friendly. It can be stored in liquid form at a relatively manageable temperature of -33°C, unlike liquefied hydrogen, which requires extremely low temperatures of -253°C. Ammonia also has a storage density about 1.7 times greater than liquefied hydrogen, making it more efficient for large-scale storage and long-distance transportation. In addition to serving as a hydrogen carrier, ammonia can be directly used as fuel in ships and power generation systems.
LOTTE Fine Chemical is continuing to work with major global companies and institutions to build a worldwide clean ammonia supply chain. Through these partnerships and pilot projects, the company aims to establish a multi-channel sales platform and become Asia’s leading clean ammonia hub, supporting both maritime decarbonization and the broader hydrogen economy.
