Fortescue has agreed to charter 12 ammonia-capable Newcastlemax bulk carriers from Bocimar, the dry bulk shipping arm of CMB.TECH.
Three of the 210,000-dwt vessels will be delivered with dual-fuel ammonia engines and are expected to enter service by the end of 2026. The remaining nine vessels will be delivered ammonia-ready and could be converted to operate on ammonia at a later stage.
Katie Charuga, Director Integrated Operations at Fortescue, said: ‘Fortescue’s Green Pioneer demonstration vessel has already shown that ammonia can be used safely and effectively in marine operations. The next challenge is scaling the use of green ammonia.
‘By investing in ammonia-capable vessels and working with partners who share our ambition, we are helping create demand for green ammonia and supporting the technologies needed to reduce emissions from global shipping.’
According to Fortescue, the fleet could reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 250,000 tonnes per year compared with conventional marine fuels if operated on green ammonia.
The agreement follows a series of ammonia-related vessel projects announced by CMB.TECH, which in 2025 partnered with Mitsui O.S.K. Lines to deploy nine ammonia-powered vessels between 2026 and 2029.
CMB.TECH’s CEO, Alexander Saverys, commented: ‘This agreement marks an important step in showcasing ammonia as a viable marine fuel and advancing the transition to zero-emission shipping.
‘It also sends a powerful signal to the market, particularly at a time when there is doubt about the decarbonisation of shipping: our sector can decarbonise at scale. It just takes like-minded, determined partners who walk the talk.’
Three of the dual-fuel ammonia vessels are expected to enter service by the end of 2026, while the remaining nine vessels will be delivered ammonia-ready.
