Fortescue’s dual-fueled ammonia-powered vessel gets DNV certificates

Classification society DNV has granted Australian green technology, energy and metals company Fortescue class and statutory certificates for its dual-fueled ammonia-powered vessel Green Pioneer.

The certificates were awarded at a ceremony held during Singapore Maritime Week.

The award marked the culmination of a project that began in 2021, when DNV was engaged by Fortescue to work on the feasibility study and ‘Fuel ready (Ammonia)’ notation for the vessel’s conversion.

DNV’s Technology Qualification process provided the framework for the qualification and assurance of the engine modifications, where industry rules were yet to be developed. Additionally, DNV’s Gas Fuelled Ammonia notation, an industry first, set out the requirements for the ship’s fuel system, fuel bunkering connection and piping through to the fuel consumers.

With no IMO regulations covering the specific use of ammonia, DNV and Fortescue utilized the SOLAS provision for Alternative Design Arrangements (ADA) with the backing of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, particularly around fire and evacuation risks.

“The Fortescue Green Pioneer proves to the world that the shipping industry can, and must, innovate to stop burning fossil fuels. We know 2024 is a pivotal year for global shipping and will have an enormous impact on ammonia’s use as a marine fuel this decade and beyond. The shipping industry must adopt early use of ‘real zero’, long-term solutions such as green ammonia,” Dino Otranto, Fortescue Metals CEO, commented.

“When Fortescue embarked on this cutting-edge project, it was vital that we worked with organisations like DNV that shared our vision for pioneering solutions to drive decarbonization in the industry. DNV has brought a high level of competence, focus, and agility to this project. Their solution-focused and ‘can-do’ attitude without compromising their core roles of safety and quality was immense,” he continued.

“Fortescue’s commitment to decarbonization aligns perfectly with DNV’s vision, and we are honoured to be part of this pioneering project. Our global teams have worked closely with Fortescue over the last two years, from the engine bed-testing stage through to commissioning and trials, to help realize this milestone. We look forward to continuing this partnership and supporting Fortescue as we both strive to create a greener future for shipping,” Cristina Saenz de Santa Maria, DNV’s Regional Manager, South East Asia, Pacific & India, Maritime, noted at the presentation of the certificates.

In 2022, Fortescue converted a four-stroke engine to run on ammonia in combination with diesel at its land-based testing facility in Perth, Western Australia. Conversion work later began on the Green Pioneer, a former offshore supply vessel, at the Seatrium yard in Singapore to convert the vessel’s engines to run on ammonia in combination with conventional fuels.

Fortescue’s Green Pioneer completed the world’s first ammonia bunkering trial at an ammonia facility on Jurong Island, in the Port of Singapore in March 2024, following which the vessel received flag approval from the Singapore Registry of Ships (SRS) and the ‘Gas Fuelled Ammonia’ notation from DNV.