China has unveiled a groundbreaking innovation in sustainable maritime transport with the successful maiden voyage of the Anhui, the world’s first pure ammonia-powered vessel. The demonstration ship completed its trial run in Hefei, Anhui Province, signaling a potential revolution in decarbonizing global shipping.
Ammonia, a carbon-free fuel with high energy density, produces only water and nitrogen when combusted. This positions it as a key contender to replace traditional marine fuels, which account for nearly 3% of global CO₂ emissions. While countries like Japan and Norway have explored ammonia-powered shipping, China’s Anhui represents the first operational demonstration of pure ammonia combustion at scale.
Developed by the Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center’s Institute of Energy and Shenzhen Haixu New Energy Co., the 50-tonne vessel features a 200-kilowatt gas internal combustion generator and twin-screw propulsion system. Researchers overcame critical technical hurdles, including stable ammonia ignition and efficient hydrogen production through catalytic cracking.
"This breakthrough proves ammonia-hydrogen fuels can achieve near-zero carbon emissions while maintaining operational reliability," said Wu Dianwu, a lead researcher. The project aligns with China’s dual carbon goals of peaking emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060.
Industry experts highlight broader implications. Wang Junli of the Chinese Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers noted that scaling the technology to megawatt-level engines could transform water transport and industrial energy systems. With the International Energy Agency projecting ammonia could meet 45% of shipping’s energy needs by 2050 in net-zero scenarios, China’s demonstration accelerates a global transition.
