Fortescue Zero Showcases Ammonia-Powered Vessel in London Ahead of IMO Meeting

With the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) upcoming Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) meeting scheduled for April, Fortescue’s marine division, Fortescue Zero, has brought its dual-fuel ammonia-powered vessel to London for demonstrations. This move comes after the vessel, Green Pioneer, was first unveiled in Dubai during the UN’s COP 28 in November 2023, aiming to emphasize ammonia’s potential as a sustainable marine fuel as the IMO works towards setting net-zero policies.

The Singapore-flagged Green Pioneer, a 3,100 deadweight tonnage vessel, arrived in the UK on March 1 from Singapore. Fortescue and the UK government are keen to showcase the vessel’s ability to operate on ammonia as a sustainable marine fuel. Following its certification in Singapore in the spring of 2024, the vessel will undergo inspections by the UK’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).

Lars Lippuner, MCA Director of UK Customer Services, stated, “The MCA will conduct thorough inspections and checks to ensure the vessel’s safety and operational readiness for its onward journey. It has been a pleasure working in collaboration with Fortescue to bring this innovative vessel to Europe, and we are excited that the shift to a more sustainable marine fuel and a world’s first is being showcased here in the UK.”

In early 2022, Fortescue acquired the offshore supply vessel MMA Leveque from Australia-based MMA Offshore. Originally built in Indonesia in 2010 with four diesel-electric Cummins main engines, two of the engines were converted to be able to utilize ammonia or diesel for the demonstrations. The vessel successfully underwent the first-ever ammonia bunkering in March 2024 in Singapore, followed by a second bunkering in May after completing testing.

Dr. Andrew Forrest, Fortescue’s Executive Chairman and Founder, emphasized the importance of embracing real zero fuel standards and urged the IMO to expedite the transition of the shipping industry away from polluting bunker fuels. The UK’s Maritime Minister Mike Kane commended the vessel as a driver of decarbonization and highlighted the government’s commitment to achieving net-zero goals.

During its time in the UK, Fortescue Green Pioneer has been working closely with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to ensure full compliance with UK regulatory requirements. Port State Control inspections were scheduled for Southampton upon the vessel’s arrival, with a planned showcase at West India Dock in London to demonstrate its technology and capabilities to key maritime stakeholders, partners, and the public.

The MCA is actively collaborating with other IMO member states to further develop interim guidelines on the use of ammonia as a marine fuel. Finalizing these standards is crucial as engine manufacturers approach the completion of testing for ammonia engines and prepare for commercial deployment in the near future.