This milestone shipment is carried by a capesize ship, transporting bauxite extracted by EGA’s subsidiary, Guinea Alumina Corp., to a customer in China.
LNG-fuelled vessels are reported to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 28% on a tank-to-wake basis compared to traditional marine bunker fuel, as stated by SEA-LNG, a coalition dedicated to advancing the use of LNG in shipping. In 2022, the global shipping industry contributed over 2% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions, according to the International Energy Agency.
The bauxite is being transported by the Ubuntu Empathy, an LNG dual-fuelled capesize vessel operated by Anglo American and chartered by EGA. This ship is part of Anglo American’s fleet of ten LNG dual-fuelled vessels designed to lower emissions.
Capesize vessels are among the largest bulk cargo carriers, measuring up to 300 meters in length—equivalent to two football fields—and 50 meters in width, with a capacity to carry around 180,000 tonnes of bauxite ore.
EGA predominantly employs capesize vessels for shipping bauxite ore from Guinea to its alumina refinery in Abu Dhabi and to other global customers. Last year, EGA exported approximately 14.1 million wet tonnes of bauxite from Guinea.
Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, CEO of EGA, emphasized the significance of aluminum in global decarbonisation efforts and the importance of sustainable production practices. “Our decarbonisation approach is extensive, encompassing our entire supply chain and financing. Using LNG-fuelled vessels for bauxite transport is a key component of our strategy to reduce emissions. We are committed to reaching net zero by 2050 and supporting the rising global demand for low-carbon aluminium.”
EGA’s subsidiary GAC has positioned EGA as one of the largest merchant bauxite suppliers worldwide, with GAC commencing production in 2019.
In 2023, EGA became the first aluminium producer and Middle Eastern company to join the Sea Cargo Charter, a global initiative promoting sustainability in maritime shipping.