In South Korea, chemical major LOTTE Fine Chemical Corporation (LOTTE) has announced that it has achieved the world’s first commercialization of ammonia bunkering, marking a major milestone in the global transition to carbon-free energy – the first full commercialization of an end-to-end supply chain in which renewable energy generated from wind and solar power is converted into hydrogen and ammonia, transported across borders, and utilized as marine fuel.
In March 2026, LOTTE Fine Chemical became the first company globally to import green ammonia—produced entirely from renewable energy in Inner Mongolia by Envision—through cross-border trade.
Building on its successful import of green ammonia produced entirely from renewable energy, LOTTE has now completed its first commercial fuel supply to an ammonia-powered vessel.
On April 23, 2026, at the Port of Ulsan, the company supplied this green ammonia as marine fuel to the world’s first ammonia-powered vessel, built by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries.
While ammonia fuel has previously been used in demonstration projects, this marks its first commercial application.
The vessel has a cargo capacity of 45,000 cubic meters and measures 190 meters in length and 18.8 meters in height.
This milestone was made possible by Ulsan Port’s robust energy infrastructure and extensive bunkering expertise. It demonstrates the port’s capability to supply a full range of eco-friendly marine fuels. We will continue to position Ulsan as a global hub for sustainable marine fuel supply, said Jaeyoung Byun, President of Ulsan Port Authority.
Close stakeholder collaboration
This milestone reflects close collaboration among government agencies, regulatory bodies, and industry stakeholders.
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, together with the Ulsan Regional Office of Oceans and Fisheries, the Ulsan Port Authority, and the Korean Register (KR), has played a key role in advancing regulatory frameworks and institutional support.
Their efforts include pilot projects for eco-friendly marine fuel supply, the registration of ammonia fuel suppliers, the establishment of safety management guidelines, and the development of safety standards based on risk assessments.
We hope this successful demonstration of ammonia bunkering will serve as a catalyst for transforming our ports into eco-friendly marine fuel hubs. We will continue to enhance port competitiveness by promoting the adoption of sustainable marine fuels, said Hyejeong Kim, Director General for Shipping and Logistics at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries.
Leveraging Asia’s largest ammonia terminal infrastructure near Ulsan Port, LOTTE Fine Chemical became Korea’s first registered ammonia marine fuel supplier in 2025.
Following the Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2024 with key industry partners, we have continuously worked to enhance the safety of ammonia dual-fuel vessels and fuel supply systems. We are proud that these efforts have culminated in this historic achievement. KR will continue to support the global ammonia bunkering industry and maritime decarbonization through technical verification and regulatory development, Daeheon Kim, EVP of the Korean Register (KR).
Carbon-free hydrogen carrier
As the International Maritime Organization (IMO) targets net-zero emissions by 2050, global shipping companies are increasingly ordering ammonia-powered vessels that utilize carbon-free fuels.
Ammonia (NH3), a carbon-free and environmentally friendly fuel, can be stored in liquid form at relatively moderate temperatures (-33°C) and benefits from an established global distribution network.
With a storage density approximately 1.7 times higher than liquefied hydrogen (-253°C), ammonia is emerging as an efficient hydrogen carrier for large-scale, long-distance transport and storage.
It can also be used directly as a fuel, making it a promising solution for both maritime and power generation applications.
It is highly significant that the world’s first ammonia bunkering operation has taken place at Ulsan Port amid the rapid transformation of global eco-friendly fuel supply chains. Beyond achieving a world-first milestone, establishing standardized safety practices is equally important. We will continue working to ensure that Ulsan leads in both safety management and international standardization, Eunguk Lee, Commissioner of the Ulsan Regional Office of Oceans and Fisheries.
Developing a leading hydrogen hub
Ulsan Metropolitan City, a leading hydrogen hub, is home to Korea’s largest hydrogen production and utilization infrastructure.
In May 2025, it was designated as a regulatory-free special zone for ammonia bunkering, further accelerating industry development.
As Korea’s largest hydrogen production base with a comprehensive industrial ecosystem spanning transportation, storage, and utilization, Ulsan is well-positioned to lead the clean energy transition. This world-first achievement will serve as a catalyst for Ulsan to emerge as a global hub for eco-friendly energy, commented a representative from Ulsan Metropolitan City.
LOTTE Fine Chemical is actively collaborating with leading global companies and institutions to develop a global clean ammonia supply chain and advance pilot projects.
Through these efforts, the company aims to establish a multi-channel sales platform and position itself as Asia’s leading clean ammonia hub.
The world’s first commercialization of ammonia as marine fuel holds profound historical significance, as it demonstrates a complete carbon-free energy supply chain—from production to distribution and utilization—based on renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. This achievement, made possible through strong collaboration among government, institutions, and industry, represents a meaningful step forward not only for the marine fuel market but also for the broader hydrogen economy, said Seungwon Chung, CEO of LOTTE Fine Chemical.
