Construction begins on ‘world’s first’ ammonia dual-fuel bulk carrier

Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding, a part of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), has held a steel-cutting ceremony for what it said to be “the world’s first 210,000-ton ammonia dual-fuel bulk carrier”.

As disclosed, the ceremony, which took place on October 25, 2024, marked the beginning of the ship’s construction.

Ordered by Belgium-based shipowner CMB.TECH, the vessel will feature an ammonia dual-fuel X72DF engine developed by German engine manufacturer WinGD. The company received a contract to equip ten 210,000 dwt bulk carriers. The engine designs will be the first of their size for ammonia, and the first ammonia engines built in China, according to WinGD.

Meanwhile, Chinese shipbuilder Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering (CIMC SOE) received a contract to provide liquefied ammonia fuel tanks for these bulk carriers. Specifically for this project, high-pressure cylindrical tanks have been selected. According to CIMC SOE, each tank will have a geometric capacity of 3,000 cubic meters, measuring 31 meters in length and 12 meters in diameter, both featuring hemispherical heads.

The liquefied ammonia fuel tanks will be installed on the vessels to achieve zero-carbon emission propulsion through clean fuel.

Since July 2021, Beihai Shipbuilding and CMB.TECH have signed contracts for the construction of twenty-eight 210,000-ton bulk carriers. CMB.TECH told Offshore Energy that all ships can be retrofitted for ammonia or will be equipped with it upon delivery.

On a separate note, the shipyard revealed it held a steel-cutting ceremony on the same day for the 18th bulker (ship No. 44) in the second batch of CMB.TECH’s ammonia-ready series.

Last month, Beihai Shipbuilding and CMB.TECH signed a strategic cooperation agreement and held a naming ceremony for two bulkers. By working together, the partners want to make ‘greater contributions’ to sustainable shipping on a global scale.