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Sustainability in Anglo American Shipping

Our commitment is articulated across a comprehensive framework of medium and long term, diverse and complementary measures culminating in our ambition to reach carbon neutrality across our controlled ocean freight activities by 2040, with an interim 30% reduction in emissions by 2030.

These efforts are born from the goals and commitments set out in the Anglo American Sustainable Mining Plan which outlines our target to achieve carbon neutrality across all our operations by 2040, and our Group's ambition to reduce Scope 3 emissions – or emissions in our value chains – by 50% by 2050

Our commitments

Anglo American has set an ambition to achieve carbon neutrality across our controlled ocean freight activities by 2040, with an interim 30% reduction in emission by 2030.

Exploring alternative fuel options

Alternative marine fuels have an important role to play in the decarbonisation journey, with a number of potential options being explored – from liquefied natural gas (LNG) and biofuel, to hydrogen and ammonia.

LNG

Compared to conventional fuel options, liquefied natural gas (LNG) can reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 35%.

In addition to CO2 reductions, LNG also eliminates sulphur oxides, and considerably reduces nitrogen oxides and particulate matter from vessel exhausts – with the uptake of bio-LNG and continued developments in synthetic LNG representing the potential for more ambitious outcomes in future.

LNG also has the advantage of being readily available and benefits from an established network of existing infrastructure on key trading routes.

Recognising the potential for near-term emissions reduction offered by LNG, Anglo American has announced the introduction of its new Ubuntu chartered fleet, 10 newbuild LNG-fuelled capesize+ vessels. The fleet will be equipped with cutting edge technology designed to eliminate the release of unburnt methane, also known as methane slip.

The transition to LNG also provides key opportunities for the deployment of bio-LNG, a biofuel with the same chemical composition of traditional LNG that has the potential to provide a fully renewable fuel source for the maritime industry.

LNG
Sustainable biofuels

The suitability of sustainable biofuel as an effective alternative to marine fossil fuel is being increasingly demonstrated through the growing number of tests and trials taking place across the industry.

By collaborating across the industry, we are exploring the introduction of innovative biodiesel blends to our own chartered fleet, in an effort to develop – together with like-minded players and institutions in the maritime space – a solution compatible with existing vessel engines and which therefore requires no infrastructure modification.

In June 2021, we successfully conducted our first trial of sustainable biofuel using a blend produced by converting waste cooking oil from Singapore’s food and beverage industry, reducing CO2 emissions by approximately 5% compared with using 100% conventional marine fuel.

In early 2022, we completed a second trial, also in Singapore, this time using a blend of biodiesel with very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO), the industry’s most widely used conventional marine fuel, demonstrating potential for sustainable biofuel to be used as a ‘drop-in’ fuel, improving its viability to help reduce emissions in the shipping sector.

We continue working with the relevant authorities and industry bodies to accelerate the introduction of sustainable biofuel blends.

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Green ammonia

Hydrogen and ammonia have a promising future. As an early supporter of the hydrogen economy, we have invested significantly in this space.

We are partnering with Hydrogenious Maritime AS to explore the use of innovative Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier (LOHC) technology. By chemically bonding hydrogen to a diesel-like liquid with a high-storage density, which can be stored under ambient conditions (pressure and temperature), this solution can help propel hydrogen’s viability for marine transportation.

Ammonia, which emits no CO2 when combusted, has potential both as a fuel in its own right and as a hydrogen carrier.

However, there is significant work that still needs to be done to ensure green ammonia is brought to market in a safe and sustainable way.

To examine its prospects, we are working with industry partners to study possible solutions for more widespread adoption.

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