Fortescue , an Australian metal mining and green energy company, has trialed the world’s first use of ammonia and diesel as marine fuel on the Fortescue Green Pioneer in the Port of Singapore, as reported by Reuters on March 15. The groundbreaking achievementfollows seven weeks of rigorous testing on the vessel’s storage systems for ammonia, the associated pipelines, the gas fuel delivery system, retrofitted engines, and seaworthiness. The Fortescue Green Pioneer has received flag approval from the Singapore Registry of Ships and classification society DNV to use ammonia, in combination with diesel, as a marine fuel. Singapore’s Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) hailed this trial as a significant step in assessing ammonia’s viability as a marine fuel and advancing related standards and safety protocols.

Ammonia, traditionally adopted in agriculture and industry, has emerged as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly option for the shipping sector aiming to reduce carbon emissions. Fortescue started testing the conversion of the Fortescue Green Pioneer in 2022 by modifying two of its four engines to run on ammonia. Moreover, the company has worked with partners including DNV and fuel supplier Vopak on the processes for the mitigation methods and monitoring, given the highly toxic nature of ammonia. Dr Andrew Forrest AO, Chairman of Fortescue, stated that the success of the fuel trial proves the feasibility of safe technical solutions for ammonia-powered engines. He also called on global ports to establish fair, safe, and strict fuel standards for green ammonia.

Sources:

https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/fortescue-conducts-worlds-first-ammonia-bunker-trial-singapore-2024-03-15/

https://www.mpa.gov.sg/media-centre/details/world-s-first-use-of-ammonia-as-a-marine-fuel-in-a-dual-fuelled-ammonia-powered-vessel-in-the-port-of-singapore

https://maritime-executive.com/article/first-bunkering-and-tests-of-ammonia-as-marine-fuel-completed-in-singapore