During Singapore Maritime Week, DNV, the classification society, handed over certificates to Fortescue, an Australian company known for green technology, energy and metals. The certificates were for Fortescue’s innovative vessel, the ‘Green Pioneer’, which runs on a combination of ammonia and conventional fuels. This moment marked the end of a project that began back in 2021 when Fortescue teamed up with DNV to explore the feasibility of using ammonia as marine fuel and to ensure the vessel met all necessary regulations.
DNV’s Technology Qualification process played a crucial role in ensuring the modifications to the ship’s engine were up to standard, especially since there weren’t established industry rules for this kind of innovation. Additionally, DNV introduced the Gas Fueled Ammonia notation, a first in the industry, outlining requirements for the ship’s fuel system, bunkering connection, and piping.
Since there were no specific IMO regulations for using ammonia, Fortescue and DNV collaborated under the SOLAS provision for Alternative Design Arrangements, with support from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, particularly concerning safety aspects like fire and evacuation procedures.
Commenting after the ceremony, Dino Otranto, Fortescue Metals CEO, said: “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.”
“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.
At the presentation of the certificates, Cristina Saenz de Santa Maria, DNV’s Regional Manager Southeast Asia, Pacific & India, Maritime, noted: “Fortescue’s commitment to decarbonization aligns perfectly with DNV’s vision, and we are honored 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.”
In 2022, Fortescue successfully 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 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 safely 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.
Source DNV