Belgian shipping company Exmar has expanded its ammonia-fuelled fleet with the delivery of a second dual-fuel gas carrier, according to Ship & Bunker.
The vessel, named Arlon, is a 46,000 m3 midsize gas carrier built by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries in South Korea. Exmar announced the delivery in a LinkedIn post on Thursday, stating that the ship will be owned by Exmar France, as reported by Ship & Bunker.
Following in the Footsteps of Antwerpen
Arlon is the sister ship of Antwerpen, which Exmar received earlier this year. According to Ship & Bunker, Antwerpen holds the distinction of being the world’s first oceangoing vessel capable of running on ammonia fuel. The publication also previously reported that Antwerpen completed its first commercial voyage using ammonia fuel, sailing from China to India.
Arlon is the second vessel in a four-ship series of ammonia-fuelled carriers that Exmar has ordered, Ship & Bunker reports.
Emissions Reduction Claims
In its LinkedIn announcement, Exmar stated that the vessel “meets and exceeds current IMO emissions reduction targets, reducing greenhouse gases by up to 90% compared to conventional ships,” according to Ship & Bunker.
The delivery comes as ammonia engine technology becomes more commercially available, with shipowners increasingly placing orders for ammonia-capable vessels, Ship & Bunker notes. However, the publication also points out that considerable work remains to build out bunkering infrastructure for the fuel, given that ammonia is toxic and demands strict safety protocols during handling and transfer.
Does This Matter to You?
The growing fleet of ammonia dual-fuel vessels signals continued momentum toward alternative marine fuels, which may be relevant for those tracking the development of bunkering infrastructure and fuel availability. As more ammonia-capable ships enter service, questions around bunkering safety standards, port readiness, and fuel supply chains become increasingly pertinent for parties involved in vessel operations, fuel supply, and infrastructure planning.
Since ammonia’s toxicity requires specialized safety measures, the pace at which bunkering infrastructure develops could influence how quickly ammonia adoption scales across the wider industry. The source material does not provide further detail on infrastructure timelines or specific ports involved, so the broader operational impact remains to be seen.
Gulf Bunkering does not provide operational or security guidance. This article is for informational purposes only. Operators should consult flag state authorities, P&I clubs, and relevant advisories for decisions relating to transit planning.
Sources: Ship & Bunker
