CMB orders two ammonia-ready bulk carriers

Antwerp-headquartered shipping firm Compagnie Maritime Belge (CMB) has signed a contract with CSSC Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding for an order of two 210,000 dwt ammonia ready Newcastlemax bulk carriers.

PHOTO: A model of the 210,000 dwt ammonia-ready Newcastlemax bulk carriers. CSSC

The carriers will be 300 meters in length and 25.2 meters in draft, and are expected to meet the requirements of IMO Tier III and EEDI Phase III emission standards, says CSSC.

They are also expected to receive an ammonia-ready notation from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), which means they are suitable for conversion to burn ammonia for propulsion at a future date, and meet the requirements of ABS' Ammonia Fuelled Vessels guide published in September last year.

At COP 26 last year, CMB's chief executive Alexander Saverys said his company has advanced towards decarbonising its fleet and plans to adopt hydrogen-based fuels such as ammonia.