The port of Rotterdam has successfully demonstrated in 2025 that ship‑to‑ship ammonia bunkering can be carried out safely within an active port environment. The results of this work, conducted under the EU‑funded MAGPIE project, have now been published in a comprehensive report, offering practical guidance for ports and industry worldwide.

The shipping sector is under increasing pressure to decarbonise, and ammonia is widely seen as a promising low‑carbon fuel. At the same time, its specific hazards require robust safety procedures, specialised equipment and clear regulatory frameworks before it can be deployed at scale.

To address this, a full‑scale simulation of a ship‑to‑ship ammonia bunkering operation was carried out in the port of Rotterdam on 12 April 2025. The demonstration confirmed that bunkering can be performed safely, provided it is carefully planned and executed within a strong safety and regulatory framework.

The findings have now been consolidated by the Mærsk Mc‑Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping and project partners into a detailed ammonia bunkering demonstration report. The report has been published and made publicly available, enabling ports, regulators and industry stakeholders to build on the insights gained.

Ammonia Bunkering Demonstration Report (.pdf)

A key outcome is the validation of the port of Rotterdam’s safety framework for ammonia as a marine fuel, alongside the International Association of Ports and Harbours’ (IAPH) Port Readiness Tool. The results show that these instruments provide a solid and practical foundation for ports preparing for the introduction of new alternative fuels.

Bo Cerup‑Simonsen, CEO of the Mærsk Mc‑Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping, said:
“The project delivers practical learnings, validation sheets and recommendations that can be used by ports globally to build confidence in ammonia bunkering and to inform future permitting and regulatory processes.”

Boudewijn Siemons, CEO of the Port of Rotterdam, added:
“The energy transition requires new, integrated value chains. This pilot is an important step in developing a complete value chain for alternative fuels, from import to application in shipping. Together with our partners, we show that innovation, safety and scalability can go hand in hand.”

By sharing the results of this project openly, the MAGPIE partners aim to accelerate the safe adoption of ammonia as a marine fuel and support the development of sustainable, smart and integrated port systems worldwide.
Source: Port of Rotterdam