PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Green energy developer Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) has called for a net zero 2040 target to be embraced by the shipping industry.
Speaking at the COP26 Transport Day, FFI chairperson Andrew Forrest said the company’s Green Fleet Team was moving quickly to convert the 75 m vessel, the MMA Leveque, in collaboration with MMA Offshore, over the next 12 months so it can run almost totally on green ammonia.
This, he said, would bring the shipping industry much closer to becoming carbon neutral well before 2040 with only entrenched industry practices slowing global progress toward carbon neutral shipping.
The MMA Leveque will run on green fuel and is part of Fortescue Metal Group’s broader fleet of trucks, locomotives and ships all undergoing technical transition to operate on green fuels.
“This vessel will show the shipping industry the power of a vessel fueled by green ammonia in real world conditions,” Forrest said.
“We are investing heavily in research and development to transform our trains, trucks and ships on the road, rail and sea with zero pollution fuels as soon as possible.
“It is world leading technology and will assist in providing the shipping industry with the practical knowhow to decarbonise completely.”
Earlier this year, FFI’s Green Fleet Team achieved the successful combustion of blended ammonia fuel in a locomotive, paving the way to achieve a renewable locomotive operation using 100% green ammonia.