MOL, CMB.Tech join forces for ammonia-powered shipping

Belgian shipping company CMB.TECH (CMBT) and Japanese shipping major Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) have partnered to order a total of nine ammonia-capable bulk carriers and chemical tankers.

CONCEPT: Ammonia-powered tanker. CMB.Tech

Three 210,000 dwt bulk carriers will be jointly owned by CMBT and MOL, which are to be chartered to MOL for 12 years. The vessels will be built by China’s Qingdao Beihai Shipyard, with deliveries scheduled over the next couple of years.

The remaining six chemical tankers include two ammonia-capable and four ammonia-ready vessels, which will be owned by CMBT and chartered to MOL’s tanker arm, MOL Chemical Tankers, for up to 10 years.

Ammonia-ready means that the vessel will not be capable of running on these alternative fuels upon delivery, but it will have the option to be retrofitted for ammonia propulsion in the future.

The tankers will be constructed by China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Yangzhou, with deliveries expected between 2028 and 2029.

“These vessels will be among the world's first ammonia-powered Newcastlemax bulk carriers and chemical tankers,” CMBT said in a statement.

By Konica Bhatt

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