Fortescue to Operate Ammonia-Fueled Ore Carrier from
Fortescue and CMB.TECH Forge Ammonia Shipping Alliance
In a significant move towards sustainable shipping, Australian mining leader Fortescue Metals has partnered with CMB.TECH, owned by the Saverys family, to accelerate the use of ammonia-fueled vessels. This landmark charter agreement marks a pivotal step in the decarbonization of long-distance maritime transport. Fortescue plans to utilize one of CMB.TECH’s new fleet of ammonia-powered bulk carriers, set to revolutionize the industry.
Innovative Engine Development and Future Plans
Bocimar, the bulker operator under CMB.TECH, has announced its collaboration with WinGD to develop large ammonia-fueled engines. Their goal is to install the ammonia dual-fuel X72DF engine on a series of ten bulk carriers, which are scheduled for construction at a Chinese shipyard in 2025 and 2026. By the end of 2023, the partnership had made significant strides, securing agreements with CSSC Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding (QBS) for vessel construction and CSSC Engine Co (CSE) to produce China’s first ammonia dual-fuel engines.
The project is based on WinGD’s X92B engine, which serves as a foundation for developing large-bore ammonia engines. This innovative design features a 72-bore ammonia engine that operates using high-pressure fuel injection, supplemented by a small amount of pilot fuel. Dino Otranto, CEO of Fortescue Metals, emphasized the urgency of transitioning to green ammonia-powered ships, stating, “The days of ships operating on dirty bunker fuel, which is responsible for three percent of global carbon emissions, are numbered.” He expressed commitment to collaborating with like-minded companies to promote low and zero-emission vessels.
Delivery Timeline and Broader Implications
The ammonia-fueled vessel is anticipated to be delivered by the end of 2026 and will serve as a dual-fuel Newcastle bulker. It is expected to transport iron ore from Australia’s Pilbara region to customers in China and around the globe. Alander Saverys, a strong advocate for decarbonization, hailed the agreement as the “beginning of an exciting journey to build more ammonia-powered ships,” believing it will stimulate further green ammonia production initiatives.
Fortescue previously launched its first ammonia dual-fuel vessel last year, converting an offshore support vessel that conducted the first ammonia bunkering operation in Singapore. This vessel underwent extensive testing as part of its certification process and has since embarked on a global tour to raise awareness about ammonia as a marine fuel. The recent agreement with Fortescue follows a similar deal between CMB.TECH and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, which involves the joint ownership of three ammonia-fueled bulk carriers and plans for additional ammonia-ready chemical tankers.
