On April 9, CM Energy Tech Co., Ltd. and Zhuohang Shipping Group formally signed a contract for the liquid cargo system project of 6,300m³ liquid ammonia bunkering vessel, marking the official launch of the first marine ammonia bunkering liquid cargo system.
The vessel was designed and built by China Merchants Shipbuilding Industry Group Yangzhou Dingheng Shipyard and is classed by the China Classification Society (CCS). It is the first liquid ammonia carrier in China equipped with ship-to-ship bunkering capabilities. HUASHANG TIANSHI MARINE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. will be responsible for the research, development, design, and manufacture of the liquid cargo system. This collaboration marks the successful localization of core equipment for liquid ammonia bunkering vessels.
This ammonia bunkering system integrates multiple core technologies and is equipped with a dedicated reliquefaction module capable of efficiently handling boil-off gas (BOG) to achieve precise control of liquid cargo pressure and temperature. It also features a ship-to-ship transfer system (STS), marking the first domestic application of such a system in an ammonia bunkering system; Furthermore, it is the first system in China to incorporate an ammonia gas combustion unit (GCU) system, significantly enhancing liquid cargo control and BOG handling capabilities, and enabling efficient completion of critical operations such as tank cleaning and vapor recovery. Fully adapted to the various operational conditions of both loading and receiving vessels, the system’s overall operational efficiency and safety are industry-leading.
To address the multiple safety risks associated with liquid ammonia—including toxicity, flammability, explosiveness, corrosiveness, and low-temperature hazards—the liquid cargo safety system employs a multi-layered prevention and control design. The system is equipped with real-time ship-to-shore (or ship-to-ship) safety communication and an emergency shutdown interlock system, capable of monitoring abnormal conditions such as fires, leaks, and toxic gas overexposure in real time, triggering alarms immediately and executing emergency shutdown procedures. Additionally, through secondary containment barriers, a residual liquid disposal system, and optimized ventilation and personnel access routes, the system minimizes the risk of leaks and secondary hazards to the greatest extent possible.
According to reports, Zhuohang Shipping Group is a comprehensive logistics service provider for the Chinese chemical and chemical fiber industries established in 2013. Headquartered in Hangzhou, the company manages a fleet of 76 vessels and handles over 25 million metric tons of cargo annually.