en.Wedoany.com Reported - Belgian shipping company CMB.TECH and Australian mining group Fortescue have signed a major vessel charter, securing up to 12 Newcastlemax (210,000 DWT) ships capable of using ammonia as fuel. Through this agreement, Fortescue accelerates its zero-emission shipping strategy.

These vessels are being built by Bocimar at China's Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding. Up to three of them will be equipped with dual-fuel ammonia engines, expected to enter service by the end of 2026; the remaining nine will be ammonia-ready, allowing future conversion to ammonia fuel operation.

The two companies stated that if green ammonia is used, the entire fleet could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 250,000 tons per year compared to conventional marine fuels.

CMB.TECH CEO Alexander Saverys said the agreement is an important step in demonstrating ammonia as a viable marine fuel and advancing the transition to zero-emission shipping, while sending a signal to the market that the shipping industry can achieve large-scale decarbonization and needs like-minded partners.

Both companies have been at the forefront of ammonia-fueled vessel applications. Fortescue has completed the conversion of its first offshore support vessel, with two engines capable of running on ammonia, used for demonstration and advancing ammonia fuel shipping regulations. CMB.TECH was the first to order new large ammonia-fueled vessels, celebrating the joint naming of four ammonia-capable bulk carriers in early May. One of them, "Mineral Latvija" (210,000 DWT, 300 meters/984 feet long), departed on June 21 for Port Hedland, Australia.

Bocimar and Fortescue have cooperated in the shipping sector for over 20 years, and both parties look forward to the new ships further showcasing ammonia fuel technology and accelerating industry adoption.

After an initial surge, orders for ammonia-fueled ships slowed due to regulatory and supply uncertainties. Recently, Exmar took delivery of the first new ammonia-fueled tanker, "Antwerpen," Fortescue converted an offshore support vessel, and two tugboats were converted in Japan and the United States. According to a DNV report, there are currently 46 ammonia-fueled vessels on order, up from 39 in October last year, with initial orders dominated by bulk carriers and gas carriers. Deliveries of 37 vessels are expected this year and next, with the order book extending to 2030.

This charter follows a similar agreement in March 2025 between CMB.TECH and Japan's Mitsui O.S.K. Lines. The two parties agreed to jointly own three 210,000 DWT Newcastlemax bulk carriers equipped with ammonia fuel systems, and placed additional orders for six vessels, including two ammonia-fueled ships and four ammonia-ready ships.

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