'Brave, innovative' | Fortescue ship becomes first in the world to use hydrogen-based ammonia as a maritime fuel

Fortescue Green Pioneer has achieved a significant milestone with approval from the Port of Singapore for utilizing a derivative of H2, albeit in conjunction with diesel. A groundbreaking voyage utilizing ammonia as a shipping fuel has recently concluded in Singapore following an extensive seven-week testing phase. Owned by Australian magnate Andrew Forrest's Fortescue, the Fortescue Green Pioneer operates by integrating diesel into its combustion process alongside ammonia.

Ammonia, a chemical synthesized from hydrogen and nitrogen extracted from the atmosphere, has garnered attention as a prospective green shipping fuel due to its carbon dioxide-free combustion properties and higher energy density compared to compressed or liquefied hydrogen. Despite the growing number of vessels transitioning to ammonia fuel, port authorities had been hesitant to authorize its use, primarily due to safety concerns, until now.

Singapore's Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) has broken ground by granting approval following thorough assessments of the vessel's ammonia storage systems, fuel delivery mechanisms, retrofitted engines, and overall seaworthiness. Safety precautions during testing included crew members wearing personal protective gear and conducting hazard workshops to identify and mitigate potential risks associated with fuel transfer and engine trials.

The Fortescue Green Pioneer, equipped with ammonia storage capacity, underwent ammonia bunkering at Vopak's Banyan Terminal on Singapore's Jurong Island, marking a world-first in ammonia bunkering. While the ship gained global attention during its voyage to Dubai for COP28, it was unable to utilize ammonia due to restrictions, resorting to diesel fuel instead.

Although two of the vessel's engines have been adapted for ammonia-diesel operation since July last year, the remaining engines are capable of running on conventional fuels as needed. The successful fuel trial in Singapore demonstrated compliance with local air quality standards for nitrogen oxide emissions post-combustion. However, concerns remain regarding nitrous oxide emissions, prompting ongoing efforts to minimize these emissions with the availability of lower greenhouse gas emission sources.

Andrew Forrest commended Singapore's pioneering efforts in green ammonia shipping and emphasized the importance of setting stringent fuel standards globally to incentivize green investments. MPA CEO Teo Eng Dih highlighted the significance of the fuel trial in informing safety procedures and crew training, supporting Singapore's commitment to the energy transition in the maritime industry. The MPA and Fortescue intend to share key insights from the trials at relevant platforms and international forums in the future.