SIMIC

ONE of shipping's first movers when it comes to alternative fuels is being linked to another industry first in the dry sector, reports Singapore's Splash 247.

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 US$80 million per ship, or $480 million in total, against conventionally powered units, which are priced at about $65 million in China, while methanol dual-fuel versions add about $10 million more to the price.



The firm's 210,00-dwt newbuilds should be delivered in 2026 and be fitted 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-fired 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.