MOL Ocean Bulk has signed a 25-year contract with Vale International to transport iron ore using two vessels. The project will employ the world’s first 210,000-mt ore carriers equipped with a tri-fuel propulsion system that can run on ethanol, methanol, and conventional heavy fuel oil.
The vessels are scheduled for delivery in 2030 and will primarily carry out the transoceanic transport of the company’s iron ore.
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Tri-fuel and LNG/ammonia-ready
The vessels are not only equipped with tri-fuel engines, but also feature an LNG/ammonia-ready design, enabling the future use of either fuel. In addition, they incorporate a range of energy-saving technologies available for next-generation newbuilding vessels. By providing flexibility in fuel selection according to fuel availability, decarbonisation benefits, and economic considerations, the vessels broaden practical options for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in marine transport.
Ethanol could potentially reduce carbon emissions by up to approximately ninety per cent compared with heavy fuel oil on a full lifecycle basis, from fuel production through consumption. In recent years, it has attracted growing attention as a renewable fuel, and its ease of handling is expected to streamline wider adoption in marine fuel applications.
Vessel particulars are:
- Main dimensions: LOA: 299.95 m; Breadth: 50.00 m
- Ship type: 210,000-metric-ton ore carrier
- Main engine fuel: tri-fuel (heavy fuel oil, methanol, ethanol)
- Scheduled delivery: 2030
- Expected route: iron ore transport from Brazil to destinations worldwide (primarily China)
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Net-zero by 2050
Under its “Blue Action 2035 Phase 2” environmental vision, the MOL Group aims to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. Through the operation of these vessels, the group will move ahead towards achieving its own decarbonisation targets while helping reduce Vale‘s marine transport-related Scope 3 emissions.
Picture: Signing ceremony for the tri-fuel ore carrier project (photo MOL).
