One of shipping’s first movers when it comes to alternative fuels is being linked to another industry first in the dry sector. Singapore-based Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) has ordered up to six ammonia-fuelled newcastlemaxes in China, according to brokers.
The order for three plus three optional ships at Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding Heavy Industry comes widely quoted by multiple brokers at around $80m per ship, or $480m in total, against conventionally powered units, which are priced at about $65m in China, while methanol dual-fuel versions add about $10m more to the price tag.
The firm 210,00 dwt newbuilds should deliver in 2026 and be fitted with under-development dual-fuel engines by MAN Energy Solutions, which plans to roll out its solution by 2025 at the earliest.
The Idan Ofer-controlled diversified shipowner, which took delivery of the world’s first dual-fuel LNG suezmax tanker in 2022, has a deal in place with Dutch OCI and MAN to develop methanol and ammonia-run engines for several ship types, including the ammonia dual-fuel gas carrier announced at last year’s Posidonia exhibition.
So far, bulker newbuild orders have been placed with ammonia- or methanol-ready options for future retrofits when the fuels become available. The only exceptions, in addition to EPS’ newcastlemaxes, are methanol-powered kamsarmaxes ordered by J. Lauritzen and Cargill earlier this year.
