Ammonia

ABS awards US first AiP for ammonia bunkering vessel design

ABS, Fleet Management, Sumitomo Corporation and TOTE Services announced the United States’ first AiP for the initial design of ammonia bunkering articulated tug-barge.

Published

7 months ago

September 20, 2024

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ABS awards US first AiP for ammonia bunkering vessel design

American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), Fleet Management Limited, Sumitomo Corporation and TOTE Services on Thursday (19 September) announced the United States’ first Approval in Principle (AiP) for the initial design of ammonia bunkering articulated tug-barge (AB-ATB) from ABS.

AT-ATB is a vessel that consists of a tug and a barge that are joined together to form a single unit, and is intended for providing ammonia to a vessel as a fuel.

The AB-ATB was designed to be compatible with vehicle carriers including Aurora Class PCTC recently delivered to Höegh Autoliners, the Norwegian shipping company, for bunkering operation at the ports of Jacksonville, Florida, and Brunswick, Georgia as well as a 15000 TEU ammonia-fuelled container vessel whose concept design was created by MMMCZCS, for bunkering operation at the port of Savannah, Georgia.

The award ceremony was held in Houston at Gastech 2024, the world's largest energy conference.

The approval was achieved in cooperation with the RADIUS consortium, consisting of ABS, A.P. Moller – Maersk A/S, Fleet Management Limited, Georgia Ports Authority, Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping (MMMCZCS), Sumitomo Corporation, and TOTE Services.

The barge design and engineering were completed by VARD Marine US, Inc. (VARD).

The parties said the design approval is an important step on the maritime industry’s decarbonisation journey where ammonia-fuelled vessels are seen as one of multiple fuel pathways.

The Consortium, established in March 2023, has been conducting a feasibility study on ship-to-ship bunkering of reduced emission ammonia along the U.S. East Coast. This includes the development of a cost-effective supply chain for the procurement, transportation, and storage of reduced emission ammonia fuel, as well as the design of AB-ATB and related supply chain infrastructure.

The parties expect this design approval to motivate and encourage the maritime industry to develop and order such types of ammonia-fuelled vessel. This approval is a significant milestone in accelerating the potential of the first US ammonia bunkering vessel, targeting commercial operations by 2030.

Panos Koutsourakis, ABS Vice President, Global Sustainability, as a representative of the consortium, said: “This is an exciting milestone for our feasibility study and project teammates. Having an approved basic design for the AB-ATB is another step toward maturity for ammonia as a marine fuel.”

“ABS is committed to supporting the maritime industry as it pursues low-carbon, more sustainable operations. We have extensive insight into the development and application of ammonia as a marine fuel, and we are proud to share our learnings with this team.”

Photo credit: Sumitomo Corporation
Published: 20 September, 2024

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Newbuilding

Fortescue and CMB.TECH sign charter deal for ammonia-powered ore carrier

The 210,000 dwt Newcastlemax vessel is expected to be delivered to Fortescue by the end of next year and will transport iron ore from the Pilbara to customers in China and around the world.

Published

22 hours ago

April 22, 2025

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Australian green technology, energy and metals company Fortescue on Thursday (17 April) said it has signed an agreement with Bocimar, part of CMB.TECH, to charter a new ammonia-powered ore carrier.

The 210,000 dwt Newcastlemax vessel is expected to be delivered to Fortescue by the end of next year and will play a vital role taking iron ore from the Pilbara to customers in China and around the world.

The vessel will feature a dual-fuel engine, making it capable of operating on ammonia that can be created using renewable energy.

While Fortescue is committed to eliminating Scope 1 and 2 emissions from its Australian iron ore operations by 2030, its target of Net Zero Scope 3 emissions by 2040 reflects the challenge of eliminating emissions from the shipping of its products to customers and from steelmaking.

Fortescue has been advocating for the early adoption of zero emission fuels such as green ammonia, widely accepted as the long-term solution, and the bypassing of transitional fuels such as biofuels and LNG.

The Fortescue Green Pioneer, the world's first class society approved dual-fuel ammonia-powered vessel, has been in London since early March and will soon embark on a tour of global ports to bring attention to the need for a hastened transition to zero emissions fuels.

Fortescue Metals CEO Dino Otranto, said: “Our landmark agreement with Bocimar sends a clear signal to the market – now is the time for shipowners to invest in ammonia-powered ships.

“The days of ships operating on dirty bunker fuel, which is responsible for three per cent of global carbon emissions, are numbered. We continue to implore shipping regulators to show the character and leadership that is necessary to ensure this happens sooner rather than later.

“Our agreement with Bocimar is just the beginning and is a critical step in addressing our Scope 3 emissions. Through the Fortescue Green Pioneer we have demonstrated that the technology to decarbonise shipping exists now.

“We will continue to work with like-minded companies like Bocimar to transition our fleet to low and zero-emissions vessels and help accelerate the widespread adoption of green ammonia as a marine fuel.”

Alexander Saverys, CEO of CMB.TECH, said: "Fortescue and Bocimar have been close partners for more than 20 years. We share the same values and are both passionate about decarbonising the maritime industry.

“Based on our common belief that green ammonia is the fuel of the future, we were able to conclude this important agreement on the road to zero emission shipping.

“This is the beginning of an exciting journey to build more ammonia-powered ships that will stimulate more green ammonia production projects. We need to decarbonise today to navigate tomorrow.”

Photo credit: Scott Graham
Published: 22 April, 2025

Bunker Fuel

Singapore: GCMD develops calculator to explore IMO GFI-linked pricing system

Free cost and compliance calculator has been developed by its team based on the newly approved GHG emissions pricing framework by IMO’s MPEC 83 recently.

Published

7 days ago

April 16, 2025

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Singapore: GCMD develops calculator to explore IMO GFI-linked pricing system

The Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) on Tuesday (15 April) introduced a free cost and compliance calculator that has been developed by its team based on the newly approved greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions pricing framework by the Marine Environment Protection Committee during its 83rd session (MPEC 83).

The calculator will help maritime stakeholders explore how the two-tiered, GHG Fuel Intensity (GFI)-linked pricing system could impact operational costs.

GCMD said the buzz around International Maritime Organization's MEPC 83 and the newly approved GHG emissions pricing framework has been intense — and understandably so.

“To help make sense of it, our CEO Prof. Lynn Loo started with handwritten trajectory calculations to break down the core workings,” it said in a social media post.

“Building on that, our team has developed a simple, accessible cost and compliance calculator to help you explore how the two-tiered, GFI-linked pricing system could impact operational costs.”

The calculator is just one input—its results should be considered alongside other economic and operational factors to inform commercial decisions.

The tool covers covers heavy fuel oil (HFO), liquified natural gas (LNG), B24 biofuel, e-ammonia and bio-methanol.

“Whether you're assessing fuel options, planning newbuilds, or just trying to get a feel for what this might mean for your operations — this tool offers a useful first-cut view. For added clarity, we’ve included the workings on the side so you can trace the calculation process,” GCMD added.

Note: GCMD’s cost and compliance calculator can be found here.

Photo credit: Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation
Published: 16 April, 2025

Bunker Fuel

Singapore: Bunker fuel sales increase by 0.5% on year in March 2025

4.47 million mt of various marine fuel grades were delivered at the world’s largest bunkering port in March, up from 4.45 million mt recorded during the similar month in 2024, according to MPA data.

Published

1 week ago

April 15, 2025

Admin

Singapore: Bunker fuel sales increase by 0.5% on year in March 2025

Sales of marine fuel at Singapore port increased by 0.5% on year in March 2025, according to Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) data.

In total, 4.47 million metric tonnes (mt) (exact 4,469,170 mt) of various marine fuel grades were delivered at the world’s largest bunkering port in March, up from 4.45 million mt (4,445,070 mt) recorded during the similar month in 2024.

Deliveries of marine fuel oil, low sulphur fuel oil, ultra low sulphur fuel oil, marine gas oil and marine diesel oil in March (against on year) recorded respectively 1.62 million mt (+0.6% from 1.61 million mt), 2.33 million mt (-3.7% from 2.42 million mt), 500 mt (+100% from zero), 100 mt (-98% from 5,100 mt) and zero (from zero).

Singapore: Bunker fuel sales increase by 0.5% on year in March 2025

Bio-blended variants of marine fuel oil, low sulphur fuel oil, ultra low sulphur fuel oil, marine gas oil and marine diesel oil in March (against on year) recorded respectively 51,900 mt (+100% from zero), 93,700 mt (+42% from 66,000 mt), zero (from zero), zero (from zero) and zero (from zero). A new addition of biofuel blend, introduced in February this year, B100, recorded no sales in March.

LNG and methanol sales were posted respectively at 39,000 mt (+1% from 38,600) and zero (from zero).

A complete series of articles on Singapore bunker volumes by Manifold Times in 2024 can be found below: