Andrew Forrest’s Fortescue showboats ammonia-powered Green Pioneer ship in UK as part of green maritime push

Fortescue has docked what it brands a world-first ammonia-powered ship in London as part of the Andrew Forrest-led company’s global roadshow to stir up support for stricter maritime carbon rules. Plastered in Fortescue branding, the 75m-long Green Pioneer pulled up at Canary Wharf on Sunday to demonstrate the use of ammonia as a viable fuel source in shipping. The vessel has four engines, two of which can run on ammonia and diesel. It’s one of several ambitious projects the mining billionaire has on the go as the company he founded furiously pushes to switch its operations from fossil fuels to renewable power, and sell the new technology to the world. The Green Pioneer’s arrival in England last week comes as the UN’s International Maritime Organisation mulls imposing legally binding regulations on the global shipping industry, in a bid to drive down carbon emissions. Meetings on whether a global carbon levy is adopted are due to be held in April. Fortescue plans to show off the new kit at “several ports around the world” and urge the heavy-emitting industry to adopt green technology. Mr Forrest called on the IMO to fast-track shipping’s transition. “This will not only deliver a better future for the planet but accelerate a reduction in shipping costs through the widespread adoption and scaling of renewable energy,” he said. “There is no time to waste on so-called transitional fuels that will only serve to slow our progress towards a world no longer reliant on fossil fuels.” The maritime sector accounted for about 2.8 per cent of all global greenhouse gases, according to a 2020 IMO study, and the group is working towards a net-zero by 2050 target. A statement from the UK’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency last week said the ammonia-powered vessel exemplified “how shipping can become more sustainable” and described it as “an ambitious but essential mission fully backed by UK Government.” Fortescue has been forced to put the brakes on lofty green hydrogen production targets as it grapples with high electricity costs and new US administration lead by President Donald Trump.