The Japanese shipping company Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and the Belgian shipping group CMB.Tech have christened three ammonia-powered Capesize bulk carriers in China. Deliveries are due to begin in early 2027.
The joint naming ceremony took place recently at the CSSC Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding yard, which is part of the Chinese shipbuilding group CSSC. According to MOL, these are the world’s first three Capesize bulk carriers designed to run on ammonia.
The newbuilds have been named “Ruri Mirai”, “Ruri Sekai” and “Ruri Hikari”. Among those attending the ceremony were CMB.Tech CEO Alexander Saverys and MOL manager Kazuhiro Takahashi.
The three vessels are being developed jointly by MOL and CMB.Tech and, following their delivery, will be jointly owned by the two companies. MOL plans to deploy the bulk carriers under long-term charter agreements.
Deliveries planned from early 2027
Each of the newbuilds has a deadweight tonnage of around 209,800 tdw. They are 299.95 m long and 50 m wide. For ammonia operation, they will each be fitted with two fuel tanks with a capacity of 3,000 m³. Deliveries are scheduled to take place in stages from early 2027.
In parallel, MOL is working with internal and external partners on operational procedures and comprehensive safety measures for the use of this alternative fuel.
Ammonia is regarded as a potential fuel for the decarbonisation of shipping, as its combustion produces no CO₂. However, the actual carbon footprint depends, amongst other things, on how the fuel is produced.
With these three newbuilds, MOL aims to take a further step towards implementing its ‘Blue Action 2035’ environmental strategy. The shipping company aims to deploy its first net-zero-emission ocean-going vessels before the end of the 2020s and to achieve overall climate neutrality by 2050.
