CMB.Tech's Mineral Europa, described by its Belgian shipowner as the world's first ammonia-powered dry bulk carrier, has completed sea trials, marking a step toward commercial deployment of the alternative fuel in large ocean-going cargo ships. The 210,000-deadweight-ton Newcastlemax was built at China's Qingdao Beihai Shipyard and will operate under a charter agreement with Australian miner Fortescue. Its dual-fuel engine can run on ammonia or conventional marine fuel. Following the trials, the vessel took on 1,000 metric tons of green ammonia in a ship-to-ship bunkering operation at Zhoushan, China, before departing for Australia on its maiden voyage on 14 Oct 2026. The ship leads a broader fleet expansion: Antwerp-based CMB.Tech plans deliveries of 21 ammonia-powered ships through 2029, comprising 18 dry bulk carriers, one containership and two chemical tankers, with most expected within the following nine months, the company said on 9 Oct 2026. CEO Alexander Saverys said the vessel is "the first of its kind, but many more will follow in the months and years ahead." The business case for ammonia-powered shipping rests on decarbonization rather than cheaper fuel, with owners betting that long-term cargo contracts and reduced emissions-related costs will offset higher upfront expenses. DNV says ammonia-fueled newbuilds typically cost 15%–20% more than conventional designs, while European green ammonia at about $2,900 per metric ton of marine-gas-oil-equivalent energy runs roughly five times the price of diesel and requires nearly three times the fuel volume for equivalent energy. CMB.Tech is also investing in fuel storage and bunker barges to support ammonia operations, saying delivery infrastructure is as critical as the ships themselves.