Source: BBC website.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is conducting inspections on the Singapore-flagged vessel in the Hampshire port before it travels to West India Dock in London.
The MCA said the vessel was the first of its kind, powered by a four-stroke engine, two of which are capable of being fuelled by ammonia and diesel.
Maritime Minister Mike Kane said, "This is exactly the kind of innovation that will drive forward decarbonisation in the shipping sector."
Ammonia is a zero-carbon fuel and has the potential to substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions when used for shipping.
The MCA said an ammonia-powered vessel "exemplifies how shipping can become more sustainable, an ambitious but essential mission fully backed by UK Government".
To support Fortescue Green Pioneer's time in the UK, the MCA said the vessel and team have been working closely with it to ensure full compliance with UK regulation.
Source: Solis Marine
Solis Marine’s remit as an industry partner was to provide naval architecture and design engineering services for the integration of Fortescue’s ammonia fuel technology with GREEN PIONEER’s existing vessel structure.
Starting in late 2021, Solis Marine provided initial concept designs for the vessel layout, followed by detailed design and conversion work to establish and meet the requirements for the new fuel system arrangement.
Throughout the project, Solis Marine liaised directly with the classification society DNV for the submission and final approval of documentation required for 'Gas Fuelled Ammonia' notation.
The Solis Marine team was led by the company’s co-founder and CEO, Ros Blazejczyk, who said: “This project drew on the skills of our team of experienced naval architects, structural engineers, design engineers and supporting experts in both our Singapore and UK offices.
“Fortescue’s dual fuel project was delivered within a very ambitious time frame, which meant leveraging our expertise across different time zones to the meet the required level of quality and competence.”
Solis Marine’s initial scope of work included concept designs for the ammonia tank connection space, scrubber space, bunker station and deck layout following the assessment of ammonia dispersion and hazardous zone requirements, amongst others.
The company went on to work with Fortescue on the detailed design and conversion of the GREEN PIONEER with a keen focus on safety aspects and infrastructure, including structural fire protection, ventilation systems, SCR installation and the concept and structural design of the lifeboat platform.
Following fuel trials in March 2024, the GREEN PIONEER received flag approval from the Singapore Registry of Ships (SRS) after close consultation with teams from Singapore Maritime &Port Authority (MPA) and the 'Gas Fuelled Ammonia' notation by DNV to use ammonia, in combination with diesel, as a marine fuel.
Ros Blazejczyk said: “Solis Marine continues to build on its work to create a greener future for global shipping, completing projects with hydrogen, fully electric and hybrid systems.
“From our experience, it will be the duty cycle and operating profile that drive technology preferences. But for any new fuel technology to succeed, the twin pillars of green fuel supply and regulatory framework must be developed in parallel, and there is plenty of work to be done here too.”
For more information, you can read our Spotlight on the Challenges of Refitting Diesel Ships here.