Fortescue and CMB.Tech have signed an agreement for the charter of up to 12 ammonia-capable Newcastlemax bulk carriers.

Under the terms of the agreement, Fortescue will charter 12 Newcastlemax vessels of 210,000 DWT from Bocimar, the dry bulk division of CMB.Tech. Up to three of the 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 ammonia-ready and capable of conversion to ammonia operation at a later date.

According to CMB.Tech, if fuelled by green ammonia, the combined fleet could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 250,000 tonnes a year compared with conventional marine fuels.

Katie Charuga, Director Integrated Operations at Fortescue, stated: “The shipping industry doesn’t need more talk. It needs action. Green ammonia is one of the clearest pathways to reducing carbon dioxide emissions from shipping, and these vessels represent a practical step towards that future.”

Charuga pointed to Fortescue’s Green Pioneer demonstration vessel as evidence that ammonia can be used safely and effectively in marine operations, and described the new fleet as part of an effort to scale the use of green ammonia in shipping. “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,” she commented.

Alexander Saverys, CEO of CMB.Tech, said the deal builds on a partnership between Fortescue and Bocimar spanning more than two decades. He added: “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.”

CMB.Tech, headquartered in Antwerp, Belgium, operates a fleet of around 250 vessels across dry bulk, crude oil tanker, chemical tanker, container and offshore energy segments.

Fortescue, the Australian iron ore and green energy company, has set what it describes as a “Real Zero” target to eliminate Scope 1 and 2 emissions from its Australian terrestrial iron ore operations by the end of 2030.