Saudi Arabia ships world’s first consignment of blue ammonia

Saudi Arabia has shipped 50 kilometre-tonnes (kmt) of low-carbon blue ammonia to South Korea, representing a new landmark in the development of decarbonisation solutions.

Vessel Seasurfer, carrying 25 kmt of certified low-carbon “cradle-to-gate” blue ammonia, is expected to reach its destination between December 9 and 13, marking the world’s first commercial shipment of its kind, SABIC Agri-Nutrients and Saudi Aramco said in a joint statement.

The low-carbon alternative to conventional grey ammonia was accomplished through a collaboration between SABIC Agri-Nutrients and Saudi Aramco.

South Korea-based Lotte Fine Chemical (LFC) will receive the full-tank accredited as low-carbon “cradle-to-gate” blue ammonia.

SABIC Agri-Nutrients chief executive Abdulrahman Shamsaddin said the company is constantly working on breakthrough solutions to decarbonise its assets and deliver low-carbon solutions to its customers.

LFC chief executive Yong Suk Kim expected the shipment of blue ammonia to help lay the foundations for a global supply chain.

Earlier this year, SABIC Agri-Nutrients and Aramco received the world’s first independent certifications recognising blue ammonia and blue hydrogen production from Germany’s independent testing, inspection and certification agency TÜV Rheinland.

Additionally, SABIC Agri-Nutrients and Aramco are teaming up in the low-carbon hydrogen space and ammonia to develop solutions to serve various applications in the energy, fertilizer and chemicals sectors, the statement said.