EGA Powers Up LNG-Fuelled Vessel For Bauxite Shipment In A Global Decarbonisation First

Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) has announced the first-ever bauxite cargo shipment using a vessel powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). This milestone marks a significant step in reducing emissions in the shipping industry.

The cargo, transported in a Capesize ship, consists of bauxite mined by EGA's subsidiary, Guinea Alumina Corporation. It is destined for a customer in China. The use of LNG-fuelled ships can lower greenhouse gas emissions by up to 28 percent compared to traditional marine bunker fuel, according to SEA-LNG.

The Ubuntu Empathy, an LNG dual-fuelled vessel operated by Anglo American and chartered by EGA, is carrying the shipment. This vessel is part of Anglo American's fleet of ten lower emission LNG dual-fuelled ships. The global shipping industry contributed over two percent of the world's greenhouse gas emissions in 2022, as reported by the International Energy Agency.

EGA primarily uses Capesize vessels to transport bauxite ore from Guinea to its alumina refinery in Abu Dhabi and other customers worldwide. In the previous year, EGA exported approximately 14.1 million wet metric tonnes of bauxite from Guinea.

Abdulnasser bin Kalban, CEO of EGA, emphasised the importance of sustainable aluminium production and transportation. He stated, "Aluminium plays an essential role in decarbonisation economy-wide. It is also important how sustainably aluminium is produced, and this includes the transportation around the world of millions of tonnes of raw materials."

He further added, "Our approach to decarbonisation is comprehensive and extends beyond our operations to include everything from supply chain to financing. LNG-fuelled cargos are one way for us to reduce our emissions, and we are proud to pioneer this fuel for shipping bauxite. Our goal is to reach net zero by 2050, including from our supply chain, and help meet the increasing global demand for low carbon aluminium."