In a major step toward decarbonizing the maritime industry, OCI Global and VICTROL have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly develop a safe, scalable, and commercially viable supply chain for clean ammonia bunkering across the Netherlands and Belgium. This collaboration marks a significant stride in establishing ammonia as a key alternative marine fuel to support global sustainability goals.
Building a Clean Ammonia Supply Chain
Under the MoU, OCI’s subsidiary, OCI Ammonia Distribution, will take the lead in sourcing and importing clean ammonia both blue and green from major production hubs in the U.S., Middle East, North Africa, and Asia. The ammonia will be transported by sea to OCI Terminal Europoort (OTE) in the Port of Rotterdam, where it will be stored and distributed as a marine fuel.
The OTE terminal, already the only independent large-scale ammonia import terminal in the port, has plans to expand its storage capacity from 30,000 to 90,000 metric tons and increase its throughput to 2 million tons per year to meet rising demand. OCI is also forming partnerships with shipowners and end-users to accelerate ammonia adoption as a clean fuel alternative.
VICTROL’s Role in Ammonia Bunkering Operations
As part of the agreement, VICTROL will design, build, and operate a liquid ammonia bunker barge capable of loading refrigerated ammonia from OCI’s terminal. This barge will deliver ammonia directly to ships in the ports as well as to inland industrial users. Both companies are actively collaborating with the Port of Rotterdam and regulatory authorities to ensure compliance with all safety and regulatory frameworks.
This partnership also follows the first-ever ammonia ship-to-ship bunkering pilot conducted at the Port of Rotterdam in April 2025, which elevated the port’s ammonia fuel readiness to level 7 under the International Port Readiness framework.
The collaboration between OCI Global and VICTROL underscores a shared commitment to advancing clean energy solutions for the maritime sector. By creating a comprehensive infrastructure for ammonia bunkering, the two companies aim to position Rotterdam as Europe’s leading hub for clean ammonia storage and distribution. This initiative not only supports regional decarbonization goals but also sets a strong precedent for sustainable maritime fuel networks worldwide.
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Source: OFFSHORE ENERGY
