FFI GREEN PIONEER Vessel
The “FFI GREEN PIONEER,” the world’s inaugural ammonia-capable vessel owned by Australian mining company Fortescue, has arrived in Dubai powered by diesel fuel. This voyage serves as a demonstration, strategically timed during the COP28 conference in Dubai. It aims to draw attention to the current regulatory limitations preventing ammonia-powered ships from docking at ports.
Formerly known as the “MMA Leveque,” the “FFI GREEN PIONEER” underwent an 18-month conversion to enable dual-fuel operation—utilizing both diesel and ammonia. However, despite its ammonia capability, the ship will not be using or carrying the fuel due to existing restrictions preventing ammonia-powered vessels from berthing at ports.
Andrew Forrest, Fortescue’s chairman and founder, highlighted the current regulatory constraints that do not allow ammonia-powered ship operations. He aims to shed light on the need for empowering the ports to allow for emission free shipping via ammonia and for the authorities to license loading of green ammonia.
Fortescue retrofitted the vessel for dual-fuel operation, modifying a four-stroke engine at their Perth testing facility to accommodate a blend of ammonia and diesel. Additionally, they installed a gas delivery system and converted two of the ship’s engines to facilitate dual-fuel mode.
Future plans by Fortescue involve completing the vessel’s commissioning, enabling the world’s first ammonia transfer, and obtaining the necessary class approval to operate its dual-fuel ammonia engines.
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