China’s CSSC Beihai Shipbuilding recently held a joint naming ceremony for four vessels built for Belgian shipowner CMB Tech.
The vessels are the 319,000DWT ammonia-ready very large crude carrier (VLCC) Nervii and three 210,000DWT ammonia dual-fuel bulk carriers Ruri Mirai, Ruri Sekai, and Ruri Hikari.
Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) said delivery of the three bulk carriers is expected in stages, beginning in early 2027. MOL and CMB Tech will share ownership, with MOL intending to run the vessels on long-term charter contracts.
The bulkers' dual-fuel engines can use ammonia but can also burn conventional marine fuels. CMB Tech has said this gives operators options while ammonia bunkering facilities are being developed.
Nervii is instead designed for future conversion to ammonia-fuelled operation, with provision for two 6,000-cubic-metre ammonia fuel storage tanks.
The VLCC has a service speed of 14.5 knots and meets the EEDI Phase III energy efficiency standard.
The bulk carriers meanwhile form part of a nine-vessel agreement signed in March 2025 between CMB Tech, MOL, and MOL Chemical Tankers.
The deal also covered two ammonia-fitted and four ammonia-ready chemical tankers scheduled for delivery in 2028–2029.
