Fortescue and the Belgian shipping company CMB.Tech have signed an agreement to charter up to twelve ammonia-capable bulk carriers. The vessels will be provided by Bocimar, CMB.Tech’s dry bulk division.
The Newcastlemax bulkers each have a deadweight tonnage of 210,000 dwt. Up to three vessels are to be delivered fitted with dual-fuel ammonia engines and, according to the companies, are due to enter service by the end of this year. The remaining nine vessels, meanwhile, are being prepared for future operation using ammonia.
‘Green’ ammonia as fuel
Should the fleet be powered by green ammonia, CO₂ emissions could be reduced by around 250,000 tonnes per year compared with conventional marine fuels, according to the statement.
Katie Charuga, Director of Integrated Operations at Fortescue, described ‘green’ ammonia as a potential way of reducing CO₂ emissions in shipping. Fortescue has already demonstrated, with the “Green Pioneer” demonstration vessel, that ammonia can be used in maritime operations. The focus now is on scaling up its use.
“Fortescue and Bocimar have built a strong partnership over more than two decades, underpinned by shared values and a clear commitment to the decarbonisation of shipping,” emphasised CMB.Tech CEO Alexander Saverys.
This agreement is an important step towards demonstrating ammonia as a viable marine fuel and advancing the transition to zero-emission shipping. It also sends a strong signal to the market, particularly at a time when there are doubts about the decarbonisation of shipping.
According to its own figures, the Saverys family’s shipping group CMB.Tech has a combined fleet of around 250 vessels. These include bulk carriers, crude oil tankers, chemical tankers, container ships and offshore energy vessels. The company also offers hydrogen and ammonia fuels.
