Belgian shipping group CMB.Tech has floated the Mineral Europa, a 210,000 DWT dry bulk carrier that can run on ammonia or diesel. The vessel's first charter is for Australian miner Fortescue, which agreed to take 12 of these ships under a deal signed in June. Two 3,000 cubic meter tanks feed the dual-fuel engine, and CMB.Tech expects to deliver 20 more ammonia-powered ships by 2029. Ammonia is already traded in large volumes and can use existing port infrastructure, which gives it a practical edge over some other zero-carbon fuels. But the fuel is toxic, carries a risk of slippage, and produces NOx when burned, so the environmental case depends on how well those issues are managed. The IMO plans to regulate ships above 5,000 tonnes from 2028, and the EU's FuelEU Maritime has already put a carbon price on vessels using EU ports, which is pushing operators toward lower-carbon options.
