CMB.TECH NV announced that Mineral Europa (2026, 210,000 dwt), the world’s first ammonia-powered dry bulk vessel, has embarked on its maiden voyage to Australia. Mineral Europa marks the beginning of what can be the fifth propulsion revolution in the history of shipping following the oar, the sail, the steam engine and the diesel engine. For the first time in more than 200 years, ships can sail without CO2 emissions.
Scaling up ammonia-powered shipping Mineral Europa is the first in a new generation of ammonia-powered vessels entering the CMB.TECH fleet. In total, twenty-one ammonia-powered ships are scheduled for delivery between now and 2029, including eighteen dry bulk vessels, one container ship and two chemical tankers. Most of these vessels are expected to be delivered within the next nine months.
“Today marks a defining moment for CMB.TECH and for the shipping industry. After almost a decade of hard work, we are proving that decarbonising shipping is no longer a distant ambition. It is happening today. Mineral Europa is the first of its kind, but many more will follow in the months and years ahead. The need to decarbonise shipping and strengthen energy independence has never been greater. Our technology and our ships are game changers for the industry. We are CMB.TECH. We decarbonise today to navigate tomorrow,” says Alexander Saverys, CEO of CMB.TECH.
Green ammonia
Green ammonia combines renewable power, water and air into a fuel that can be produced worldwide. When used in an engine, it emits no CO2. Ammonia is scalable and strengthens energy independence. Mineral Europa proves that large ocean going ships can be powered by ammonia. Thanks to improvements in technology, green ammonia can rapidly become cheaper than diesel.
A new fuel ecosystem
CMB.TECH is building a new fuel ecosystem needed to support the transition to clean shipping. The company also invests in ammonia storage solutions and bunker barges to ensure ammonia can be delivered safely and efficiently to ocean-going ships.