More Sustainable Shipping with the Oceana Frontier at ArcelorMittal in Ghent

On September 15, the Oceana Frontier, the world’s first LNG-powered bulk carrier, docked at the ArcelorMittal Belgium quay in Ghent. The ship is transporting iron ore from Canada to Ghent, marking a first for both ArcelorMittal Belgium and North Sea Port. Its arrival signifies a new step toward making the maritime transport of raw materials more sustainable and reaffirms both partners’ ambition to make the logistics chain more future-proof.

First Step Toward a More Sustainable Fleet

Within the global fleet that transports raw materials for ArcelorMittal, five ships are currently capable of using LNG as fuel. The Oceana Frontier is one of them. 

Using LNG instead of traditional marine fuels can reduce CO₂ emissions by approximately 23 percent, in addition to a significant reduction in SO₂ and NOx emissions. For a route of approximately 2,700 nautical miles, this translates to an estimated reduction of about 500 metric tons of CO₂ per voyage. 

After unloading its cargo in Ghent, the ship will return to Canada, where it will once again load iron ore for ArcelorMittal Belgium.

Today, LNG is considered an important stepping stone toward more sustainable shipping. At the same time, the sector faces the challenge of gradually replacing an aging fleet with more modern and energy-efficient ships. The ArcelorMittal Group is therefore exploring how new, more sustainable ship types can play a greater role in the transport of raw materials in the future.

The arrival of the Oceana Frontier in Ghent also provides an opportunity to gain experience in receiving and unloading LNG-powered bulk carriers. That knowledge can later be applied at other ArcelorMittal sites as well.

Frederik Van De Velde, CEO of ArcelorMittal Belgium: "With the Oceana Frontier, we are taking a concrete step toward making the transport of our raw materials more sustainable as well. This first-of-its-kind initiative allows us to gain experience with a new generation of bulk carriers and aligns with our ambition to make our entire value chain more sustainable, step by step."

North Sea Port Ready for Alternative Fuels

The arrival of the Oceana Frontier aligns perfectly with North Sea Port’s ambitions to play a leading role in the energy transition of the shipping industry. 

An independent risk analysis shows that LNG, as well as hydrogen, methanol, and ammonia, can be safely bunkered throughout the North Sea Port harbor area. To this end, extensive studies were conducted on nautical safety, infrastructure, surrounding activities, and emergency procedures. 

North Sea Port is currently continuing to work on pilot projects and the development of the necessary infrastructure to support alternative fuels safely and efficiently.

Extensive safety analyses were also conducted in preparation for the arrival of the Oceana Frontier. North Sea Port, ArcelorMittal Belgium, the terminal operator, the ship’s crew, and emergency services worked closely together to ensure that the docking and unloading proceeded safely.

Cas König, CEO of North Sea Port: "The arrival of the Oceana Frontier demonstrates that North Sea Port is ready for the shipping industry of tomorrow. Thanks to the preparations we have made in recent years, we can safely support alternative fuels and further strengthen our role as a sustainable gateway to Europe."

Strong ties with Canada

The Oceana Frontier also highlights the strong economic ties between North Sea Port and Canada. Canada is a major supplier of raw materials for the steel industry and a strategic trading partner for the port.

Last year, North Sea Port and five Canadian ports signed a cooperation agreement to further strengthen trade relations between the St. Lawrence Seaway and North Sea Port. The shipment of Canadian ores via an LNG-powered bulk carrier fits perfectly with that shared ambition to combine economic growth and sustainability.

An important milestone

With the arrival of the Oceana Frontier, ArcelorMittal Belgium and North Sea Port are taking another step together toward a more sustainable logistics chain. This first-of-its-kind initiative demonstrates how international cooperation, innovation, and the use of alternative fuels can already contribute to reducing the climate impact of shipping today. 

Furthermore, it serves as an important test case for making bulk shipping in Europe more sustainable.