Fortescue charters 12 ammonia-ready bulk carriers from CMB.Tech to cut shipping emissions

Australian mining company Fortescue has signed a charter deal with Belgian maritime firm CMB.Tech for 12 new ammonia-ready cargo ships. Three of the vessels will run on dual-fuel ammonia engines starting this year, while the other nine will need conversion later. The 210,000 dwt Newcastlemax bulk carriers are meant to carry iron ore and other bulk goods. CMB.Tech says using green ammonia as fuel could cut around 250,000 tonnes of CO2 per year across the fleet. The deal is part of a broader push by both companies to prove ammonia works as a marine fuel. Critics point out that ammonia is toxic and can produce NOx emissions, so the technology still has hurdles. The announcement comes as the International Maritime Organization prepares for a new vote on a global carbon price for shipping. A carbon price would make low-carbon fuels like green ammonia more competitive against heavy fuel oil. That vote is expected in October.