EXMAR has taken delivery of ANTWERPEN, the first oceangoing vessel powered by a dual-fuel ammonia engine.

The newbuild midsize gas carrier marks a significant step in low-carbon shipping for EXMAR, which operates as a gas shipowner and infrastructure developer.

ANTWERPEN was developed in collaboration with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, WinGD, Nord Gas Solutions and Lloyd’s Register. The vessel can carry up to 46,000 m³ of ammonia or LPG and can trade with close to zero emissions when using low-carbon ammonia fuel. According to EXMAR, greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced by up to 90% compared with conventional ships, while the vessel meets and exceeds current IMO emissions reduction targets.

Operational safety was a key focus during development. EXMAR drew on four decades of experience transporting ammonia and other liquefied gases, supported by crew training, risk assessments, input from project partners and the Belgian administration.

Carl-Antoine Saverys, Chief Executive Officer of EXMAR Group, said ammonia propulsion has moved beyond the theoretical stage and is now being deployed in practice.

ANTWERPEN is the first in a series of four dual-fuel ammonia midsize gas carriers. Each vessel in the series will be named after a Belgian city.

With the delivery of ANTWERPEN, EXMAR continues its focus on the maritime transport and handling of ammonia.