Rotterdam, Netherlands | October 9, 2025 – In a landmark move that accelerates the decarbonization of the maritime industry, OCI Global, a leader in clean fuels, and VICTROL, a leader in sustainable bunkering logistics, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly develop a safe, scalable, and commercially viable refrigerated clean ammonia bunkering supply chain across the Netherlands and Belgium.
This strategic partnership brings together deep expertise in global ammonia sourcing, advanced terminal infrastructure, and ship-to-ship bunkering logistics to create Europe’s first end-to-end ammonia fuel ecosystem. The development is set to anchor the Port of Rotterdam as a premier international hub for low-carbon marine fuels, at a time when regulatory momentum and shipping industry demand are rapidly converging.
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Key Pillars of the Collaboration
a. Global Sourcing & Import by OCI
OCI’s subsidiary, OCI Ammonia Distribution B.V., will lead the global sourcing and importation of clean ammonia, including both blue (low-carbon) and green (renewable) variants. The clean molecules will be procured from key production hubs in the United States, Middle East, North Africa, and Asia, then shipped via ocean-going carriers to the OCI Terminal Europoort (OTE) in the Port of Rotterdam.
At OTE, the ammonia will be safely stored, managed, and distributed — establishing a critical link between global supply and European demand. OCI is also actively engaging with shipowners and maritime end-users to support and incentivize the adoption of ammonia as a next-generation, zero-carbon marine fuel.
b. Bunkering Infrastructure by VICTROL
VICTROL will spearhead the design, construction, and operation of a state-of-the-art liquid ammonia bunker barge, purpose-built for refrigerated ammonia handling. The barge will load fuel directly from OCI’s terminal and deliver it ship-to-ship within port areas, as well as to inland industrial off-takers across Belgium and the Netherlands.
With a decades-long track record in LNG bunkering and inland shipping logistics, VICTROL is uniquely positioned to deliver the last-mile ammonia fueling solution with the highest safety and reliability standards.
A Critical Milestone for Europe’s Hydrogen & Maritime Future
OCI currently operates the only independent large-scale ammonia import terminal in the Port of Rotterdam. Strategically located at the heart of Europe’s maritime trade routes, OTE is permitted to expand its capacity from 30,000 to 90,000 metric tons, with throughput potential of up to 2 million tons per year, underscoring its pivotal role in Europe’s transition to clean energy.
The agreement builds on the Port of Rotterdam’s first-ever successful ammonia ship-to-ship bunkering pilot, conducted in April 2025 — a milestone that advanced the port’s readiness to level 7 under the International Port Readiness Framework. OCI and VICTROL were both instrumental in the success of that pilot.
The two companies are now working closely with the Port of Rotterdam Authority and national regulators to ensure all safety, technical, and legal frameworks are in place ahead of anticipated demand surges.
Matthijs van Doorn, Vice President Commercial at the Port of Rotterdam Authority, added “The port of Rotterdam is preparing for a multi-fuel future to decarbonize global shipping, with ammonia as one of the key future fuels. It is great to see this strategic partnership develop after the successful ammonia bunkering pilot in April 2025. Such collaborations are instrumental to creating safe and sustainable supply chains and are key for Rotterdam to advance its preparedness for ammonia bunkering.”
Why Ammonia? Driving Europe’s Clean Energy Transition
Ammonia is gaining traction as the most scalable and investable clean hydrogen carrier and zero-carbon marine fuel. Unlike many emerging alternatives, ammonia benefits from a well-established global supply chain, robust safety track record, and compatibility with existing port infrastructure.
With policy drivers such as the FuelEU Maritime initiative and the IMO’s Net Zero 2050 goals, ammonia is emerging as a cornerstone solution in maritime decarbonization strategies.
OCI’s extensive sourcing network, deep terminal infrastructure, and active partnerships with fleet operators position the company as a first mover in the ammonia bunkering space. Meanwhile, VICTROL’s innovation in barge-based bunkering is laying the groundwork for safe and effective ammonia distribution to vessels and industrial users alike.
“Ammonia is essential to the energy transition – the most scalable, policy-backed, and commercially viable clean hydrogen solution available today,” said Aviv Bar Tal, Global Vice President at OCI. “The unparalleled combination of OCI’s expansive sourcing network, proprietary import terminal, and valuable end-user partnerships with VICTROL’s unique expertise in bunkering infrastructure is creating Europe’s first end-to-end ammonia fuel supply chain. Together, we are proud to be positioning Rotterdam as the leading global hub for clean ammonia and maritime decarbonization.”
OCI Global
OCI Global operates the largest independent ammonia import terminal in Rotterdam and plays a vital role in enabling low-carbon energy solutions across Europe. The company sources clean ammonia from global markets and partners with shipowners and industrial users to facilitate the transition to clean fuels. OCI is actively expanding its terminal capacity to meet growing third-party demand and support Europe’s clean hydrogen future.
VICTROL
Based in Belgium and the Netherlands, VICTROL is a leading bunkering service company with a focus on LNG and, now, ammonia. Known for its innovative and sustainable inland shipping solutions, VICTROL is developing a new fleet of sustainable tank barges to deliver refrigerated ammonia for both ship-to-ship and inland bunkering applications, helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the maritime value chain.
Source: VCTROL