Höegh Autoliners and Fortescue push green ammonia at COP29

Höegh Autoliners has teamed up with Australian mining group Fortescue to explore practicalities of a green ammonia supply chain for bunkering.

The companies will explore the commercial and technical requirements for a green ammonia bunkering supply chain, and used the announcement to promote ammonia as a marine fuel at an event at COP29 in Baku, calling the chemical “the only marine fuel that can hasten the decarbonisation of the industry.”

Höegh Autoliners has 12 methanol- and ammonia-ready pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs) on order, named the Aurora class, the last four of which will be delivered with dual-fuel ammonia propulsion.

Fortescue’s Green Pioneer was the first vessel to use ammonia as part of its fuel during a trial in Singapore earlier this year, using three tonnes of the chemical over a seven week trial period. The Australia mining giant has committed to using ammonia to decarbonise its mining and shipping fleet, and has projects underway around the world to produce green hydrogen and capture atmospheric nitrogen as feedstocks to create green ammonia.

The companies said their alignment comes at a critical time for the future of international shipping, as the International Maritime Organization (IMO) prepares to make key decisions on its carbon reduction regulations ahead of the MEPC 82 deadline in April next year.

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“The ongoing IMO greenhouse gas reduction debate must result in a clear, robust regulatory framework,” said Fortescue Energy CEO Mark Hutchinson.

“There are so many transition fuels that are being peddled out there, but they are just a distraction. Only green ammonia can help us reduce carbon emissions in shipping and in turn can help us address the worst impacts of climate change.

“We need early incentives for hydrogen derived fuels – specifically ammonia for 2030 – otherwise, we are kicking the can down the road and leaving too large a scale up for the 2040s.”

CEO of Höegh Autoliners, Andreas Enger, said: “Deep-sea transportation is the single most pollutive part of shipping, and accounts for 90% of all maritime emissions. Decarbonising the deep-sea segment is imperative to achieve the IMO's net zero by 2050 goal for a 1.5C-aligned pathway.

“With this partnership, we are removing carbon from one of the hardest-to-abate sectors, sending a strong demand signal for green ammonia down the value chain. Together, we are making sustainable shipping doable, accelerating the green transition within our industry, and setting a whole new standard for deep-sea shipping.”

COO of Höegh Autoliners, Sebjørn Dahl, said: “With Fortescue, we are making the impossible possible, actively changing the perception of deep-sea shipping and ensuring that we are ready to sail on green ammonia around the world from 2027.”