According to Reuters, BHP Group of Australia intends to welcome its initial ammonia-fueled bulk carrier by 2026 as part of its strategy to reduce shipping emissions.
As explained, the company has selected eight firms to potentially build, operate, and supply fuel for at least one ammonia-fueled vessel, according to Rashpal Singh Bhatti, BHP’s vice president of maritime and supply chain excellence, as reported by Reuters last week.
Bhatti mentioned that BHP has not yet determined the exact number of vessels it will order and is currently evaluating factors such as costs, technical aspects, and safety considerations.
Ammonia is one of several alternative fuels being considered by shipping companies to reduce carbon emissions, as it produces no carbon when burned.
However, the adoption of ammonia may require time due to ongoing efforts within the industry to establish safety and infrastructure standards for handling this potentially hazardous fuel.
As explained, the world’s first ship engines designed to run on ammonia are anticipated to be delivered between late 2024 and early 2025, according to statements from MAN Energy and Wärtsilä.
BHP intends to incorporate bio-blended fuels into regular bunkering operations to comply with Europe’s shipping emissions regulations, following more than 30 trial runs, as stated by Bhatti.
