Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) on Friday (18 April) said the naming and delivery ceremony for the LNG-fuelled Capesize bulker, which MOL ordered for JFE Steel Corporation, was held at the Saijo Shipyard of Imabari Shipbuilding. 

The vessel was named the Verde Heraldo, which means “Green Pioneer” in Spanish, by JFE Steel President and CEO Masayuki Hirose. MOL executives including President & CEO Hashimoto were also on hand for the ceremony.

After departing from Saijo Shipyard, LNG fuel will be supplied directly to the vessel through shore-to-ship bunkering at the Senboku Terminal of Osaka Gas, and is then scheduled to sail for Australia.

The Verde Heraldo will sail under long-term transport contracts to supply raw materials for JFE Steel's mills, providing both reduced environmental impact and safe and reliable marine transport services.

About Verde Heraldo

LOA: 299.99 m
Breadth: 50.00 m
Draft: 18.436 m
Deadweight tonnage: 210,321 tonnes
Shipyards: Imabari Shipbuilding and Nihon Shipyard 

Photo credit: Mitsui OSK Lines
Published: 22 April, 2025

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.”

Related: Fortescue successfully conducts world’s first ammonia bunker fuel trial in Singapore
Related: SMW 2024: Fortescue gets DNV certificates for ammonia-powered vessel
Related: Singapore: “Fortescue Green Pioneer” completes trials using ammonia-HVO bunker fuel

Photo credit: Scott Graham
Published: 22 April, 2025

Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV) on Thursday (17 April) said it has granted an Approval in Principle (AiP) to Louis Dreyfus Armateurs (LDA) for the design of their liquid hydrogen-powered Service Operation Vessel (SOV). 

BV said the approval represented a major step forward in advancing sustainable offshore wind operations and supports LDA’s innovative efforts to decarbonise the maritime sector.

The AiP follows a thorough design review conducted by BV, which included an analysis of the integration of the Liquid Hydrogen (LH2) and Fuel Cell (FC) system. The review was performed in accordance with applicable industry rules and regulations, including BV Rules NR678 for Hydrogen-Fuelled Ships and NR547 for Ships Using Fuel Cells. 

LDA is progressing with the design of a SOV that should operate entirely on hydrogen in offshore wind farms under normal conditions. The 90m vessel will be powered during offshore operations by a set of Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cells, installed in a dedicated fuel cell space, with a vacuum insulated Type C tank for LH2 storage. 

This complete hydrogen setup will allow zero-emission operations for several days, allowing the vessel to work both during construction and O&M phases, without a need for specific infrastructures, be it offshore or onshore.

Matthieu de Tugny, President of Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore, said: “We are delighted to support Louis Dreyfus Armateurs in their innovative efforts to bring sustainable maritime solutions to life with this Approval in Principle. 

“This hydrogen-powered service operation vessel design represents a significant development for the offshore wind sector and contributes to the maritime industry’s transition to a low-carbon future.”

Gaël Cailleaux, Managing Director Renewables at LDA, said: “This Approval in Principle marks a significant milestone. It confirms that this LH2-powered SOV is fully suitable to fulfill the wind farm maintenance contracts for which it was designed.

“This future vessel will be able to operate 95% of the time with zero carbon emissions, preventing the release of 4,000 tonnes of CO2 compared to a conventional SOV, based on our calculations.”

Photo credit: Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore
Published: 22 April, 2025