The world’s first ammonia-fuelled ocean-going vessel, Antwerpen, has completed a landmark loading operation in Nanjing, China.

On 27 June 2026, the vessel safely departed Qingjiang Terminal in Nanjing Jiangbei New Area after loading 45,000 cubic metres of liquid ammonia at Jiangsu ADF’s Nanjing tank farm.

According to Jiangsu ADF, the shipment represented the largest single-port loading of liquid ammonia in China to date. It was also the first foreign trade vessel handled by the company’s Nanjing tank farm since the facility entered operation.

Antwerpen is a new-generation ammonia dual-fuel medium gas carrier owned by Belgian shipping company EXMAR. The vessel is equipped with ammonia dual-fuel propulsion technology and is designed to transport LPG and ammonia while also being capable of using ammonia as marine fuel.

The cargo loaded in Nanjing was green ammonia produced by CEEC Songyuan, a green ammonia project in which ADF has an equity interest. The ammonia was transported by ADF’s dedicated liquid ammonia trucking fleet to its Nanjing tank farm before being stored, handled and loaded for export.

For ADF, the operation was more than a single cargo movement. The company said the shipment demonstrated a green energy supply chain covering production, trading, storage, road transportation, port handling and international shipping.

ADF is also preparing rail transport solutions to further reduce logistics costs and improve transport efficiency. In the future, a multimodal system combining road, rail and waterway transport could provide a more efficient export corridor for China’s green ammonia products.

Liquid ammonia is increasingly viewed by the shipping industry as both a hydrogen carrier and a potential zero-carbon marine fuel. However, its large-scale use still depends on progress in fuel safety, port infrastructure, certification, supply availability and cost competitiveness.

Against this background, Antwerpen’s loading in Nanjing is an important practical step. It connects an ammonia-fuelled vessel, a green ammonia production project and a Chinese port storage and export facility in one real shipment.

The successful operation also reflects the growing role of China in the global green fuel supply chain. As more shipowners, fuel suppliers and ports move from pilot projects to commercial delivery, the ability to produce, store, transport and load certified green fuels will become increasingly important.

For the shipping industry, the voyage of Antwerpen is not only about one vessel or one cargo. It is an early sign that ammonia-fuelled shipping and green ammonia trade are beginning to move from concept to operation.