Ammonia bulker deal: CMB.TECH (NYSE: CMBT) signs Fortescue charter
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
CMB.TECH has signed a milestone agreement with Fortescue for the charter of up to 12 ammonia-capable Newcastlemax bulk carriers, aiming to support zero-emissions shipping. Fortescue will charter the fleet from Bocimar, CMB.TECH’s dry bulk division.
Up to three vessels will be delivered with dual-fuel ammonia engines and are expected to enter service by the end of 2026, while the remaining nine will be ammonia-ready for future conversion. If powered by green ammonia, the fleet could cut carbon dioxide emissions by about 250,000 tonnes per year versus conventional marine fuels.
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Insights
CMB.TECH secures Fortescue charter for ammonia-capable bulker fleet.
The agreement between CMB.TECH and Fortescue covers up to 12 Newcastlemax dry bulk vessels, including three with dual-fuel ammonia engines and nine ammonia-ready ships. This positions CMB.TECH as an early mover in alternative-fuel shipping assets and fuel supply.
If operated on green ammonia, the fleet could avoid around 250,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually compared with conventional fuel use. This supports regulatory and customer pressure for lower-emission freight, although actual impact depends on green ammonia availability and economics.
CMB.TECH’s broader fleet of about 250 vessels and its hydrogen and ammonia fuel offerings suggest integration potential between shipping operations and fuel supply. Future disclosures in scheduled updates, such as Q2 2026 results, may provide more detail on financial terms and capital commitments linked to this charter program.
Key Figures
Key Terms
Newcastlemax vessels financial
dual-fuel ammonia engines technical
ammonia-ready technical
green ammonia technical
forward-looking statements regulatory
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13A-16 OR 15D-16
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the month of June 2026
Commission File Number: 001-36810
CMB.TECH NV
De Gerlachekaai 20
2000 Antwerp
Belgium
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F [X] Form 40-F [ ]
INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS FORM 6-K REPORT
Attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 is a copy of the press release of CMB.TECH NV (the “Company”), dated June 22, 2026, announcing that the Company and Fortescue have signed an agreement for the charter of up to 12 ammonia-capable vessels.
The information contained in Exhibit 99.1 to this report on Form 6-K, excluding the commentary of Alexander Saverys, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and Katie Charuga, is hereby incorporated by reference into the Company’s registration statement on Form F-3ASR (File No. 333-289724) that was filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission effective August 20, 2025.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| CMB.TECH NV | ||
| (Registrant) | ||
| Dated: June 22, 2026 | ||
| By: | /s/ Ludovic Saverys | |
| Ludovic Saverys | ||
| Chief Financial Officer | ||
Exhibit 99.1
|
|
PRESS RELEASE |
| Monday 22 June 2026 – 08:00 CET | |
| Non-regulated information | |
FORTESCUE AND CMB.TECH SIGN MILESTONE AGREEMENT
FOR 12 AMMONIA BULKERS
TO ACCELERATE ZERO-EMISSIONS SHIPPING
ANTWERP, Belgium, 22 June 2026, 08:00 CET – CMB.TECH NV (“CMBT”, “CMB.TECH” or “the company”) (NYSE: CMBT, Euronext Brussels: CMBT and Euronext Oslo Børs: CMBTO) and Fortescue have signed a milestone agreement for the charter of up to 12 ammonia-capable vessels, marking a significant step towards decarbonising global shipping and advancing the adoption of ammonia as a shipping fuel.
Under the agreement, Fortescue will charter a fleet of 12 Newcastlemax vessels (210,000 dwt) from Bocimar, the dry bulk division of CMB.TECH.
Up to three of the vessels will be delivered with dual-fuel ammonia engines and are expected to enter into service by the end of 2026. The remaining nine vessels will be ammonia-ready and can be converted to operate on ammonia in the future.
If fuelled by green ammonia, the combined fleet could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 250,000 tonnes a year compared with conventional marine fuels.
Fortescue Director Integrated Operations, Katie Charuga:
“The shipping industry doesn’t need more talk. It needs action.
Green ammonia is one of the clearest pathways to reducing carbon dioxide emissions from shipping, and these vessels represent a practical step towards that future. By backing new technologies and working with partners who are prepared to lead, we can help drive the uptake of green ammonia in shipping.
Fortescue’s Green Pioneer demonstration vessel has already shown that ammonia can be used safely and effectively in marine operations. The next challenge is scaling the use of green ammonia.
By investing in ammonia-capable vessels and working with partners who share our ambition, we are helping create demand for green ammonia and supporting the technologies needed to reduce emissions from global shipping.”
Alexander Saverys, CEO of CMB.TECH said:
“Fortescue and Bocimar have built a strong partnership over more than two decades, grounded in shared values and a clear commitment to decarbonise shipping. This agreement marks an important step in showcasing ammonia as a viable marine fuel and advancing the transition to zero-emission shipping. It also sends a powerful signal to the market, particularly at a time when there is doubt about the decarbonisation of shipping: our sector can decarbonise at scale. It just takes like-minded, determined partners who walk the talk.”
Head of Marketing & Katrien Hennin | Tel: +32 499393470 katrien.hennin@cmb.tech | Head of Investor Relations Joris Daman | Tel: +32 498617111 joris.daman@cmb.tech |
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| PRESS RELEASE |
| Monday 22 June 2026 – 08:00 CET | |
| Non-regulated information | |
Announcement Q2 2026 results – 27 August 2026
About CMB.TECH
CMB.TECH (all capitals) is one of the largest listed, diversified and future-proof maritime groups in the world with a combined fleet of about 250 vessels: dry bulk vessels, crude oil tankers, chemical tankers, container vessels and offshore energy vessels. CMB.TECH also offers hydrogen and ammonia fuel to customers, through own production or third-party producers.
CMB.TECH is headquartered in Antwerp, Belgium, and has offices across Europe, Asia and Africa.
CMB.TECH is listed on Euronext Brussels and the NYSE under the ticker symbol “CMBT” and on Euronext Oslo Børs under the ticker symbol “CMBTO”. More information can be found at https://cmb.tech
About Fortescue
Fortescue exists to accelerate decarbonisation at a global scale, rapidly and profitably. The Company is committed to delivering on its ambitious Real Zero Target – an emissions reduction target that aims to eliminate Scope 1 and 2 emissions from its Australian terrestrial iron ore operations by the end of 2030. Fortescue is investing significantly in research and development to diversify and grow its core business by combining the operational expertise of a world-leading mining business with groundbreaking technologies. As the Company expands its global footprint, Fortescue’s growth remains deliberate and commercially focused.
Beyond business, Fortescue is committed to building thriving communities and delivering lasting social and economic impact. Through training, employment and business development opportunities, Fortescue is ensuring its success delivers shared and enduring value. fortescue.com
Forward-Looking Statements
Matters discussed in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides safe harbour protections for forward-looking statements in order to encourage companies to provide prospective information about their business. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements, which are other than statements of historical facts. The Company desires to take advantage of the safe harbour provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbour legislation. The words "believe", "anticipate", "intends", "estimate", "forecast", "project", "plan", "potential", "may", "should", "expect", "pending" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.
The forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including without limitation, our management's examination of historical operating trends, data contained in our records and other data available from third parties. Although we believe that these assumptions were reasonable when made, because these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies which are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond our control, we cannot assure you that we will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections.
In addition to these important factors, other important factors that, in our view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include the failure of counterparties to fully perform their contracts with us, the strength of world economies and currencies, general market conditions, including fluctuations in charter rates and vessel values, changes in demand for tanker vessel capacity, changes in our operating expenses, including bunker prices, dry-docking and insurance costs, the market for our vessels, availability of financing and refinancing, charter counterparty performance, ability to obtain financing and comply with covenants in such financing arrangements, changes in governmental rules and regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities, potential liability from pending or future litigation, general domestic and international political conditions, potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents or political events, vessels breakdowns and instances of off-hires and other factors. Please see our filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission for a more complete discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties.
This information is published in accordance with the requirements of the Continuing Obligations on Euronext Oslo Børs.
Head of Marketing & Katrien Hennin | Tel: +32 499393470 katrien.hennin@cmb.tech | Head of Investor Relations Joris Daman | Tel: +32 498617111 joris.daman@cmb.tech |
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