Mitsui O.S.K. Lines: ammonia-fueled Capesize bulkers & chemical tankers to hit the water from next year

Owned and operated with CMB.TECH

Click to learn more. Graphic visualisation of the ammonia-powered Capesize bulker, which will be jointly owned and operated by CMB.TECH and MOL. Source: Mitsui O.S.K. Lines.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has announced the signing of an agreement with MOL Chemical Tankers (MOLCT) and Belgium-based CMB.TECH which will see the three parties jointly own and charter a total of nine ammonia-capable dual fuel vessels, including three Capesize bulkers (Newcastlemax) and six chemical tankers. Set to be delivered between 2026 and 2029, these vessels will be among the first ammonia-powered Newcastlemax bulk carriers and chemical tankers globally.

The three Capesize bulk carriers, which will be ammonia-fitted and have a capacity of 210,000 dwt, will be co-owned by CMB.TECH and MOL and chartered to the latter for 12 years each. They are scheduled for delivery in 2026 and 2027. As announced in 2023, these bulkers will be fitted with WinGD’s ammonia-powered X72DF engines.

Of the six chemical tankers, which have been ordered at China Merchants Jinling Shipyard by CMB.TECH, two will be ammonia-fitted and will be chartered to MOLCT for 10 years each. The remaining four ammonia-ready tankers will also be chartered to MOLCT for 7 years each. The tankers are expected to be delivered in 2028 and 2029.

We are proud and honoured to sign this landmark agreement with MOL and MOLCT, one of the most respected shipowners in the world. MOL and CMB.TECH share the same vision of decarbonising the maritime industry, and the partnership for these nine vessels is a major milestone towards achieving shipping industry’s goals of net zero emissions by 2050. Thanks to this agreement, CMB.TECH increases its contract backlog by 921 million USD (to USD 2.94 billion USD), clearly demonstrating that our strategy of fleet rejuvenation, decarbonisation and diversification is yielding tangible results.

Alexander Saverys, CMB.TECH CEO, in his organisation’s official press release, 24 March 2025

Mitsui, Namura & Mitsubishi: AiP for large ammonia-powered ammonia carrier

Click to learn more. A new ammonia powered, large cargo capacity vessel under development by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Mitsubishi and Namura has received approval in principle from ClassNK Source: Mitsui O.S.K. Lines.

Classification society ClassNK has awarded approval in principle to MOL, Namura Shipbuilding and Mitsubishi Shipbuilding for a large-size ammonia-powered ammonia carrier, which the three companies have been jointly developing since 2021.

According to the announcement, the new vessel design features larger cargo capacity than very large gas carriers (VLGCs) and very large ammonia carriers (VLACs). With specifications consistent with current VLGCs, the new vessel also meets the entry restrictions into Japan’s major power plants.

The collaboration was initially announced in November 2021, shortly after MOL, Mitsui ES and MAN ES signed an MoU to use the latter’s ammonia-powered engine in the new vessel. Last month, Mitsui E&S announced it had commenced prototype testing of the ammonia-powered MITSUI-MAN ES B&W 760ME-C10.5LGIA-HPSCR engine at its Tamano Factory in Japan. MAN ES also reported at our last annual meeting that their two-stroke engines may be ready for deployment as early as towards the end of this year.