Fortescue and CMB.TECH have signed an agreement for the chartering of up to 12 vessels capable of using ammonia, marking an important step towards the decarbonisation of global shipping and advancing the adoption of ammonia as a marine fuel.
Under the agreement, Fortescue will charter a fleet of 12 Newcastlemax bulk carriers (210,000 DWT) from Bocimar, the dry bulk shipping operator of CMB.TECH.
Up to three of the vessels will be delivered equipped with dual-fuel ammonia engines and are expected to enter service by the end of 2026. The remaining nine vessels will be ammonia-ready and can be converted to operate on this fuel in the future. If the combined fleet were to use green ammonia as fuel, it could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 250,000 tonnes per year compared to conventional marine fuels.
Katie Charuga, Fortescue’s Director of Integrated Operations, stated that “the shipping industry does not need more words. It needs action. Green ammonia is one of the clearest pathways to reducing carbon dioxide emissions from shipping, and these vessels represent a practical step towards that future. By supporting new technologies and collaborating with partners willing to lead the sector, we can drive the adoption of green ammonia in shipping.”
CMB.TECH’s Chief Executive Officer, Alexander Saverys, stated that “Fortescue and Bocimar have forged a strong alliance for over two decades, based on shared values and a clear commitment to the decarbonisation of shipping.
This agreement is an important step in demonstrating the viability of ammonia as a marine fuel and in driving the transition towards zero-emission shipping.
