The world’s first ammonia-powered vessel, the Fortescue Green Pioneer, docked at the Nevis Street Pier on Saturday, February 21, marking a historic port call, placing the region at the centre of global  conversations on maritime decarbonisation and sustainable shipping.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne welcomed the vessel at a ceremony on Monday, describing the arrival as a milestone for a country that has long championed the fight against climate change.

“Antigua and Barbuda has been at the forefront of the climate fight. We have literally fought in every single forum you can think about, calling upon countries to reduce emissions, while at the same time fighting for a transition, a very quick transition, so that we can protect our various spaces,” Prime Minister Browne said.

PM Gaston Browne with Ambassador Dwight Gardiner and Governor General Sir Rodney Williams (photo by Robert Andre Emmanuel)

Ambassador of Climate Change Ruleta Camacho-Thomas noted that the demonstration offered tangible proof of what had long been discussed in international climate forums.

“The type of ambitious, forward-thinking, groundbreaking technology that is on demonstration here today is what is required to stem this unprecedented rise in GHG emissions and get us back to a pathway that is sustainable with our national development goals,” she said.

Ambassador of Climate Change Ruleta Camacho-Thomas (photo by Robert Andre Emmanuel)

Darwin Telemaque, CEO of the Antigua Port Authority and Chair of the Port Management Association of the Caribbean, said the visit carried significance well beyond Antigua’s shores.

“This ship here today with Fortescue is not just an example of what’s possible when small islands actually emerge and push themselves forward. It represents a region looking for a path in the future, finding the right partnerships,” Telemaque said.

Darwin Telemaque, CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Port Authority (photo by Robert Andre Emmanuel)

He acknowledged Fortescue’s consistent financial support of Antiguan officials attending international maritime meetings, including lobbying efforts at the International Maritime Organization.

“They recognise the passion delivered by Ambassador Dwight Gardiner at the IMO, other players within the group from Antigua, and they want Antigua in the mix,” he said.

The Green Pioneer, operated by Australian mining and green energy company Fortescue, completed a conversion at a Singapore shipyard and began commissioning in early 2024.

Ambassador Dwight Gardiner (photo by Robert Andre Emmanuel)

The vessel is powered by green ammonia, a fuel produced using renewable energy and has been described by Fortescue as a globally significant demonstrator of the future of shipping and the safe and responsible use of ammonia as a marine fuel.

Prime Minister Browne said Antigua and Barbuda’s own energy transition has been gathering pace.

About a year ago, the country introduced a liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant with a capacity of up to 40 megawatts, which Browne described as a bridge technology.

“That is considered to be a transition programme in which we are transitioning into renewables and using LNG as a transition fuel for the next decade,” he said.

Chinese Embassy officials in attendance (photo by Robert Andre Emmanuel)

He added that seeing the ammonia storage canisters aboard the vessel prompted him to envision replacing the country’s LNG infrastructure with green ammonia in the future.

Browne also raised the prospect of Antigua and Barbuda developing its own green ammonia production and bunkering facility, positioning the country’s port as a regional hub for vessels transitioning away from fossil fuels.

“There’s no reason, for example, why we can’t have our own ammonia production, green ammonia production plant here to provide bunkering for the ships as they transition from fossil fuel energy into ammonia and other renewables,” he said.

Government officials in attendance (photo by Robert Andre Emmanuel)

The Prime Minister extended a formal invitation to Fortescue’s senior leadership to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, which Antigua is set to host in early November, and proposed that the Green Pioneer return so that regional heads of government could witness the technology firsthand.

The vessel is scheduled to remain berthed at the Nevis Street Pier through Friday, February 28.