In a key moment for global shipping, Fortescue Green Pioneer – the world’s first dual-fueled ammonia-powered ship – has arrived in London.
The 75m-vessel travelled from its base in Singapore to the UK in January, spending six days in the Port of Southampton, where it demonstrated to use of ammonia in its converted engines and underwent a Port State Control inspection. This marked the first inspection of this sort for an ammonia-fueled vessel in the UK. This then saw it given the green light to travel to London.
Outlining why it marks such a key moment for global shipping, Fortescue noted that International Maritime Organisation (IMO) meetings in April will determine whether a global carbon levy is adopted. This will see legally binding regulations imposed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships over the medium-term. There will be key interim emission reduction targets that then have to be met for 2030 and 2040, on the way to net zero by 2050.
Fortescue wants to see zero emission fuels adopted early, including green ammonia, bypassing transitional fuels including biofuels and LNG. Fortescue Green Pioneer will therefore continue travelling to several ports around the world, striving to accelerate their readiness to supply and receive ammonia as a marine fuel alternative.
