CMB.TECH invests in Chinese ammonia supply
CMB.TECH NV has announced the company is investing in the Chinese ammonia supply chain. CMB.TECH has signed an off-take agreement for green ammonia produced by CEEC Hydrogen Energy (CEEC) in Jilin Province and will own a minority share in privately owned Jiangsu Andefu Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (Andefu) one of China's largest ammonia supply chain companies.
CMB.TECH will purchase green ammonia produced in Jilin Province by the CEEC Songyuan project under an off-take agreement. In the first phase of the CEEC Songyuan project, approximately 158,000 tpy of renewable ammonia will be produced.
Construction of the project was completed at the end of September 2025 and commercial operation is planned for January 2026. The project is mainly powered by off-grid renewable energy and supported by batteries and hydrogen buffer storage. CEEC appointed Bureau Veritas for the certification audit, and the project obtained ISCC EU RFNBO certification on 2 December 2025.
CMB.TECH will also acquire a minority stake in Andefu, one of China’s largest ammonia supply chain companies. This will create an industrial partnership between two companies supporting maritime decarbonization and the development of a green ammonia supply infrastructure.
A subsidiary of Andefu, Jiangsu Andefu Storage Co., Ltd., is currently constructing a 49,000 m³ low-temperature ammonia storage tank in Nanjing, providing critical hub capacity for ammonia distribution and future marine fuel applications. The storage tank is scheduled to be commissioned in Q1 2026.
In addition, Andefu, in cooperation with CEEC, will build an ammonia storage terminal into operation in Panjin in the second half of 2027, significantly enhancing China’s large-scale green ammonia logistics and supply capabilities. Andefu is also advancing ship-to-ship (STS) ammonia bunkering operations, targeting commercial deployment in 2026, to support the emerging global ammonia-fueled shipping fleet together with CMB.TECH.
CMB.TECH will take delivery of 11 ammonia-powered ships next year. Ten Newcastlemax bulkers (210,000 dwt) being built at Qingdao Beihai Shipyard and one 1,400 TEU container vessel being built at China Merchants Industry Weihai will deliver during 2026. The ships will be powered by a dual-fuel diesel-ammonia main engine and carry ammonia as a fuel onboard. This will enable the vessels to sail in dual fuel ammonia configuration for both propulsion and other power requirements between ports.
CMB.TECH believes green ammonia is a very promising solution to decarbonize shipping. When used in combustion engines, it emits no CO₂. Green ammonia is also expected to become cost-competitive compared to diesel thanks to the falling cost of renewable energy, and the renewable energy storage and supply systems (solar panels, windmills, batteries, electrolyzers).
CMB.TECH will continue to engage with producers of green ammonia worldwide to source sufficient fuel for its green ships. Simultaneously, CMB.TECH’s ambition is to produce green ammonia in Namibia.
Alexander Saverys, CEO of CMB.TECH: "Today marks a big milestone in our decarbonization journey. With an investment in the Chinese ammonia supply chain, CMB.TECH will be able to provide green ammonia to its ships. It's another important step towards the launch of our first ammonia-powered ships and zero-emission maritime transportation. 2026 will be a very important year for our company and our industry, as we hope to prove to the world that we can decarbonize today to navigate tomorrow."
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