New-York listed Navigator Holdings (Navigator Gas), an owner and operator of a fleet of handysize liquefied gas carriers, has announced that on April 3, 2024 it performed its first ship-to-ship transfer of ammonia.
Following a long history of the safe and successful liquified gas ship-to-ship transfers, Navigator Gas reaches a significant milestone in completing its first ship-to-ship transfer of anhydrous ammonia (NH3).
In a carefully planned and closely monitored operation lasting eleven hours, on 3rd April 2024 the Navigator Gas’ vessel “NAVIGATOR JORF”, a 38,000 cbm liquefied petroleum gas (‘LPG’) gas carrier, safely received 25,300 metric tonnes of NH3 from the LPG tanker “ECO ORACLE” whilst moored alongside in the port of Ngqura, South Africa.
Navigator Gas now expects this successful process will lead to future opportunities to utilise NH3 as an alternative fuel source and to facilitate the transition towards zero-emissions shipping.
Mads Peter Zacho, chief executive officer of Navigator Gas, 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.”
Captain Vitaly Kostyuk, master of “NAVIGATOR JORF”, said: “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.”
The fleet of Navigator Gas consists of 56 semi- or fully-refrigerated liquefied gas carriers, 25 of which are ethylene and ethane capable.
Source: Navigator Gas
