CMB.Tech Charters Up to 12 Newcastlemax Ships for Fortescue, Including 3 Ammonia-Fueled
CMB.Tech and Fortescue signed a major agreement on Monday for the chartering of up to 12 Newcastlemax bulk carriers (210,000 deadweight tonnage) to accelerate the transition to a decarbonized maritime fleet. Three of these vessels will be equipped with dual-fuel ammonia engines and are expected to enter service before the end of 2026.
A Strategic Agreement to Demonstrate the Viability of Ammonia as a Marine Fuel
The agreement involves the leasing of a fleet of 12 Newcastlemax ships to Fortescue. These vessels, operated by Bocimar (CMB.Tech's dry transport division), represent a significant step in adopting green ammonia as a maritime fuel. Up to three of the twelve units will be delivered with dual-fuel ammonia engines by the end of 2026, while the remaining nine are designed to be convertible later.
Alexander Saverys, CEO of CMB.Tech, described this agreement as an 'important milestone' in demonstrating the viability of ammonia as a marine fuel and emphasized that it 'sends a powerful signal to the market' about the industry's capacity to decarbonize on a large scale.
Potential to Reduce Emissions by 250,000 Tons of CO₂ Per Year
If the entire fleet operates on green ammonia, the twelve ships could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 250,000 tons per year compared to conventional marine fuels. Fortescue justifies its commitment by citing the example of its demonstration vessel, Green Pioneer, which has already validated the safe and effective use of ammonia in maritime operations.
Katie Charuga, Director of Integrated Operations at Fortescue, stated that 'the maritime transport industry does not need more speeches' but rather concrete action, and that this agreement represents a practical step towards deploying green ammonia on a large scale.
A Partnership Established for Over Two Decades
CMB.Tech and Fortescue have built a partnership established for over two decades, based on shared values and a mutual commitment to the decarbonization of maritime transport. CMB.Tech has a combined fleet of about 250 vessels, including dry bulkers, crude oil tankers, chemical tankers, container ships, and vessels for offshore energy.
