Port of Southampton welcomes world’s first ammonia-powered vessel

The Port of Southampton is delighted to host the Fortescue Green Pioneer, the world’s first dual-fuel ammonia-powered vessel on its inaugural UK visit.

As a zero-carbon fuel, ammonia has the potential to transform the shipping industry by significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions, marking a major step toward maritime decarbonization.

Developed through a collaboration between Fortescue and key maritime stakeholders, the vessel serves as a proof of concept for ammonia as a viable, sustainable marine fuel.

After departing Singapore in January, Fortescue Green Pioneer arrived in Southampton following a series of successful trials and safety recognitions in Singapore last year.

During its five-day stay, the vessel will undergo regulatory inspections, providing the United Kingdom an opportunity to evaluate the feasibility of ammonia-powered ships in European waters. The visit will highlight the vessel’s innovative fuel technology, operational safety, regulatory compliance, and crew training standards.

Harbour Master for the Port of Southampton, Steve Masters, commented: “We are proud that Fortescue Green Pioneer has chosen Southampton as its first port of call in Europe. I have been closely collaborating with the team on board and the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency to ensure they have everything necessary to carry out demonstrations of the vessel. This marks a significant advancement in maritime decarbonization, and it is exciting to see the Port of Southampton leading the way in accommodating vessels powered by greener fuels.”

This milestone aligns with the Port of Southampton’s commitment to green maritime initiatives. Next on the agenda is the Maritime UK Solent Coastal Powerhouse event, featuring key industry leaders, including Minister for Aviation, Maritime, and Security Mike Kane. The event will include a panel discussion on port sustainability alongside seminar sessions on Clean Maritime and Autonomous Maritime.

A key highlight of the event is the EVA Southampton Innovation Exchange, hosted by ABP in partnership with Plug and Play. This initiative, part of the Energy Ventures Accelerator (EVA) program, supports ABP’s ambitious US$2.5 billion green growth and decarbonization strategy.

With a strong focus on maritime decarbonization, the event will showcase Southampton’s role as a hub for the UK’s energy transition, fostering innovation and collaboration in sustainable shipping.

MCA Director of UK Customer Services Lars Lippuner stated: “Decarbonisation in the maritime sector is a huge priority for the UK and shipping, and Fortescue Green Pioneer successfully demonstrates what a future of cleaner shipping could look like.

“The MCA will conduct thorough inspections and checks to ensure the vessel’s safety and operational readiness for its onward journey. It has been a pleasure working in collaboration with Fortescue to bring this innovative vessel to Europe, and we are excited that the shift to a more sustainable marine fuel and a world’s first is being showcased here in the UK.”

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