Singapore-based Berge Bulk orders ammonia-fuelled Newcastlemax duo

Singapore-based dry bulk ship owner Berge Bulk on Thursday (29 February) placed an order for two ammonia dual fuel vessels from Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding Heavy Industry. 

The two 210,000-DWT Newcastlemax vessels will meet the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) Tier III NOx (nitrogen oxides) standards and Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) Phase 3 compliance for greenhouse gas emissions and be powered by ammonia.

James Marshall, CEO and Founder, Berge Bulk, said: “We are very pleased today to order these ammonia dual fuel vessels as part of our continued journey towards a zero carbon future.”

“The use of ammonia fuel represents an important milestone in our commitment to operate a zero emissions vessel by 2030 and an essential pillar in our plan to decarbonise. We continue to take urgent action in all four areas of our strategy to effectively reduce our current emissions and achieve carbon neutrality by 2025.”

Berge Bulk has set an ambitious decarbonisation timeline which consists of three key milestone:

• Achieve carbon neutrality by 2025
• Build and operate a zero-emissions vessel by 2030
• Achieve zero emissions fleetwide by 2050

To meet this timeline, Berge Bulk has developed the four-pillar “Marshall Plan”. The plan focuses on (1) improving fleet efficiency; (2) leveraging the latest maritime technology; (3) converting to new fuels; and (4) capturing the remaining carbon directly or indirectly.

The move toward new fuels complements Berge Bulk’s many other decarbonisation efforts and projects including a comprehensive programme of energy efficiency retrofits and pilots for new wind. 

Paolo Tonon, Chief Technical Officer, Berge Bulk, said: “Ammonia is a promising zero-carbon fuel for the future of the shipping industry. Berge Bulk has been actively engaged in discussions with key players in the ammonia supply chain.” 

“We are encouraged by the steady progress being made with the development of ammonia engines and the logistics of ammonia bunkering. This evolving landscape has given us the confidence to order these two dual fuel ammonia vessels.”

“We are proud to help shape the roadmap from today’s liquid fuel ships to tomorrow’s ammonia-powered ships.”

Photo credit: Berge Bulk
Published: 6 March 2024