World’s First Ammonia-Powered Dry Bulk Carrier Completes Sea Trials

The Mineral Europa, the world’s first ammonia-fueled dry bulk carrier, has completed sea trials and is set for its maiden voyage to Australia.

The vessel is capable of operating on both ammonia and traditional marine fuels, offering another option for reducing carbon emissions from shipping.

The Mineral Europa was manufactured at Qingdao Beihai Shipyard in China. It is owned by Belgian shipowner CMB.TECH and powered by a dual-fuel engine capable of using both ammonia and traditional marine fuels.

As part of its plans, CMB.TECH intends to commission 21 ammonia-powered vessels to its fleet by 2029, including 18 dry bulk carriers, one container ship, and two chemical tankers. The company is planning to receive almost all these ships within the next nine months.

The plan is part of CMB.TECH’s effort to use ammonia on more of its ships and reduce emissions from its operations.

Alexander Saverys, CMB.TECH’s CEO, stated that there will be more ships operating on ammonia after the Mineral Europa launch in the upcoming months and years.

Furthermore, he explained that this technology will be useful to cut shipping emissions and reduce reliance on conventional fuels.

The green ammonia is produced using renewable energy, water, and nitrogen taken from the air. Unlike traditional marine fuels, green ammonia lacks carbon content and does not release carbon dioxide directly when burned in an engine.

However, its environmental benefits depend on how the fuel is made, supplied and used onboard.

Ammonia is one of the options that can be used by shipping firms to cut the direct carbon emissions from large vessels. Additionally, this fuel can be produced in various countries around the world. It may allow shipping companies to have more flexibility while choosing fuel suppliers.

CMB.TECH believes that green ammonia is likely to be increasingly competitive with diesel due to the increase in production and development of new technologies.

Moreover, its cost will depend on the renewable energy expenses, investments in fuel production and distribution, and market conditions.

There would need to be storage and distribution facilities in place at the port and by suppliers to support the use of the fuel by more vessels.

Ammonia is toxic and must be handled with care. The ships themselves will have to have proper storage facilities in place, while fuel suppliers will need specific equipment to safely transfer the fuel. A robust distribution system would be needed for the fuel to be used by the ships during operation.

CMB.TECH had indicated that it would invest in ammonia storage facilities and bunker barges to distribute the fuel to the ships.