Fortescue and CMB.Tech announce ammonia charter deal
The 210,000 dwt dual-fuel newcastlemax will be delivered by the end of 2026
When delivered, the bulker will deliver iron ore from Pilbara, Australia to Chinese ports as Fortescue looks to eliminate scope 3 emissions in its iron ore production by 2040
AUSTRALIAN mining giant Fortescue Metals has signed a charter agreement with Bocimar, a subsidiary of CMB.Tech, for a dual-fuel ammonia bulk carrier that will ship iron ore from its Western Australia mines to China.
The 210,000 dwt vessel is part of a series of large bulkers on order at Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding and is expected to be delivered to Fortescue by the end of 2026.
Fortescue Metals chief executive Dino Otranto said the agreement with Bocimar “sends a clear signal to the market: now is the time for shipowners to invest in green ammonia-powered ships”.
“The days of ships operating on dirty bunker fuel, which is responsible for 3% of global carbon emissions, are numbered,” he said.
“We continue to implore shipping regulators to show the character and leadership that is necessary to ensure this happens sooner rather than later. Our agreement with Bocimar is just the beginning.”
CMB.Tech chief executive Alexander Saverys said the two companies shared the same values.
“Based on our common belief that green ammonia is the fuel of the future, we were able to conclude this important agreement on the road to zero-emission shipping,” he said.
“This is the beginning of an exciting journey to build more ammonia-powered ships that will stimulate more green ammonia production projects. We need to decarbonise today to navigate tomorrow.”
