DANISH fund manager Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners has announced a new partnership with two shipowners for a series of ammonia carrier newbuildings with potential delivery of the first vessel in 2028.

CIP said it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Norway-based Faerder Tankers to develop a new generation of medium-sized gas carriers capable of carrying ammonia.

The new 50,000 cu m vessels will be backed by CIP’s Energy Transition Fund. As a leading developer of clean ammonia, CIP plans to use the ships for its new clean ammonia transport business. The objective is to facilitate the green transport of clean ammonia by using the cargo as fuel.

The ETF is planning ammonia production facilities in Australia, Mexico and South America for use as marine fuel. 

The new ships will be equipped with ammonia dual-fuel main engines and full ammonia bunkering capabilities. While no shipbuilding contracts have yet been signed, the lead ship is planned for delivery during the second half of 2028.

The new carriers will feature a bridge-forward design which is said to enhance control during bunkering and ship-to-ship operations, while also improving hydrodynamics and fuel consumption.

Faerder Tankers was founded in 2018 and ordered a series of suezmax tanker newbuildings from a South Korean shipyard. They are understood to have since been resold.

Meanwhile, the company has been developing designs for ammonia dual-fuel vehicle carriers and long-range two product tankers.      

CIP’s ETF has signed a second MOU with gas carrier operator BW Epic Kosan to develop handysize ammonia carriers, which will also be fitted with ammonia dual-fuel engines and bunkering capabilities.

The ETF will time charter the vessels from BW Epic Kosan. The Singapore-headquartered shipowner plans to order several ships of between 9,000 cu m to 35,000 cu m for service with ETF or its subsidiaries.

BW Epic Kosan is one of the world’s largest operators of liquefied petroleum gas carriers. Its fleet includes ethylene- and ammonia-capable ships.

Commenting on the two deals, CIP senior business adviser Niels Lindegaard said: “Our objective is to facilitate the green transportation of clean ammonia by utilising the cargo as fuel. Partnering with innovative shipping companies like BW Epic Kosan and Faerder Tankers is crucial to achieving this goal and to lead in the field of clean ammonia.

“The dialogue with leading companies has given us valuable industry insights and the ability to develop safe and robust end-to-end bunkering solutions as well as first-hand knowledge about critical developments and maturity of solutions.”

CIP said it was also in “advanced discussions” with other ship operators to develop very large ammonia carrier newbuildings. 

The company is one of the world’s largest fund managers investing in renewable energy.

CIP’s Energy Transition Fund has invested in multiple projects for the decarbonisation of shipping, including green hydrogen production.

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