Navigator Gas completes its first ship-to-ship ammonia transfer

Navigator Holdings (Navigator Gas), a UK-headquartered owner and operator of a fleet of handysize liquefied gas carriers, has performed its first ship-to-ship ammonia transfer.

Navigator Gas’ 38,000 cbm liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carrier NAVIGATOR JORF received 25,300 metric tonnes of anhydrous ammonia (NH3) from LPG tanker ECO ORACLE, whilst moored alongside in the Port of Ngqura, South Africa.

Following a history of liquified gas ship-to-ship transfers, Navigator Gas completed this ammonia transfer on April 3, 2024.

Navigator Gas expects this process to lead to future opportunities to utilize ammonia as an alternative fuel source and to facilitate the transition towards zero-emissions shipping.

Vitaly Kostyuk, Master of NAVIGATOR JORF, stated: “We implemented our comprehensive safety and risk management procedures to complete the transfer in a safe manner, in compliance with the regulations and port authority requirements.”

Mads Peter Zacho, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), commented: “Completing this ship-to-ship transfer demonstrates the practical feasibility of ammonia bunkering and is an important step in supporting and driving the transition towards a viable carbon-free fuel source.”

“It is our aim to put our full ammonia experience to work with our partners in demonstration projects, pilot projects and joint ventures so we accelerate the transition from fossil to carbon-free fuels.”

As for other ammonia-related Navigator Gas activities, it is worth mentioning that in late 2023, Navigator Gas and Yara Growth Ventures, the venture investment arm of Norwegian Yara International, each acquired a 14.5% interest in the Norwegian ammonia bunkering startup Azane Fuel Solutions.

The investment is expected to enable Azane to begin construction of its first bunkering unit for ammonia supply in Norway, aiming to kickstart the transition to zero-carbon fuels for maritime transportation.