Three ammonia-capable vessels for MOL and CMB.TECH due from early 2027

Japanese shipping firm Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and Belgian shipping group CMB.TECH have launched three ammonia-capable bulk carriers.

IMAGE: MOL and CMB.TECH’s three ammonia-capable bulk carriers. MOL

Each ship has a deadweight of around 210,000 dwt and two 3,000-cbm ammonia fuel tanks. Deliveries are due in phases from early 2027.

MOL and CMB.TECH will jointly own the ships after delivery, with MOL planning to operate them under long-term charters. The two companies ordered the vessels in March 2025, with a 12-year charter agreement with MOL.

The vessels, named Ruri Mirai, Ruri Sekai and Ruri Hikari, were launched at CSSC Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding in China. The yard is part of China State Shipbuilding Corporation.

MOL is drawing up safe operating procedures and safety measures for the ammonia-capable ships with partners inside and outside the group. The companies have not disclosed where the vessels will be deployed or where they will bunker ammonia.

The launch follows a series of announcements about ammonia-capable vessels this month. CMB.TECH, which also offers ammonia fuel to customers, sent its first ammonia-capable bulk carrier, the 210,000-dwt Mineral Europa, on a maiden voyage to Australia earlier this month.

Singapore-based Eastern Pacific Shipping has taken delivery of the 93,000-cbm very large ammonia carrier Terra Clove, which can run on ammonia and conventional fuels. Maersk Tankers, part of Danish shipping group A.P. Moller-Maersk, is considering retrofitting all ten of its very large ammonia carriers with ammonia dual-fuel engines, depending on customer commitments.

In Japan, Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line) and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line) will each take two of four ammonia-capable car carriers due in 2030.

By Tuhin Roy

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