Fortescue and CMB.TECH have signed an agreement covering the charter of up to 12 ammonia-capable Newcastlemax bulk carriers, in a move aimed at accelerating the use of ammonia as a marine fuel.
Under the deal, Fortescue will charter 12 Newcastlemax vessels (210,000 dwt) from Bocimar, CMB.TECH’s dry bulk division. The companies said up to three vessels will be delivered with dual-fuel ammonia engines by the end of 2026, while the remaining nine ships will be built ammonia-ready and could be converted to run on ammonia in the future.
If operated on green ammonia, the fleet could cut around 250,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually compared with conventional marine fuels.
The companies described the agreement as a significant step towards the decarbonisation of shipping and the wider adoption of ammonia as a marine fuel.
