Fortescue Charters 12 Ammonia-Capable Newcastlemax Bulk Carriers to Advance Green Shipping

Australian mining company Fortescue has agreed to charter 12 Newcastlemax dry bulk carriers as part of its strategy to support the adoption of ammonia as a low-emission marine fuel.

The fleet will comprise 210,000 dwt vessels, with up to three scheduled for delivery equipped with dual-fuel ammonia engines. These vessels are expected to enter service by the end of the year.

The remaining nine ships will be built as ammonia-ready, allowing them to be converted to ammonia propulsion as fuel availability and supporting infrastructure develop.

Fleet Designed to Support Ammonia-Fuel Adoption

The charter agreement forms part of Fortescue’s broader efforts to promote the use of green ammonia in commercial shipping.

According to the company, if the entire fleet operates on green ammonia, it could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 250,000 tonnes annually compared with vessels using conventional marine fuels.

Ammonia is being explored as a zero-carbon marine fuel because it contains no carbon molecules, although its environmental benefits depend on production from renewable energy sources and the development of global bunkering infrastructure.

Building Demand for Green Ammonia

Fortescue said the investment is intended to support market demand for green ammonia while encouraging wider deployment of ammonia-fuelled vessel technologies.

“Fortescue’s Green Pioneer demonstration vessel has already shown that ammonia can be used safely and effectively in marine operations. The next challenge is scaling the use of green ammonia,” said Katie Charuga, Director of Integrated Operations at Fortescue.

“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.”

Industry Looks to Scale Alternative Marine Fuels

The project also received support from CMB.TECH, which has been actively involved in the development of ammonia-powered shipping technologies.

“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,” said Alexander Saverys, CEO of CMB.TECH. The agreement comes as the maritime industry continues to evaluate alternative fuels, including ammonia, methanol, hydrogen, and biofuels, to meet increasingly stringent international emissions regulations and long-term decarbonisation targets.