CF Industries and Trafigura Complete First Ammonia Ship-to-Ship Transfer
Key Ideas
- Trafigura Group successfully completes the first ship-to-ship transfer of ammonia, showcasing its feasibility for future ammonia bunkering as demand for low-carbon fuels increases.
- The transfer of approximately 6,000 metric tons of ammonia took place in international waters close to the Port of Ceuta in the Strait of Gibraltar.
- Trafigura has signed a contract for four Medium Gas Carriers (MGCs) capable of using low-carbon ammonia as a propulsion fuel, aiming to support decarbonization in the shipping industry.
- This development highlights the industry's shift towards hydrogen-based low-carbon fuels to reduce emissions and drive sustainable practices in maritime transportation.
Trafigura Group has successfully completed its first ship-to-ship (STS) transfer of ammonia, involving approximately 6,000 metric tons of the product from CF Industries’ manufacturing complex in Donaldsonville. The transfer took place in international waters near the Port of Ceuta in the Strait of Gibraltar. STS transfers are commonly used in other industries to load cargo onto suitable vessels for delivery, but they have not been widely adopted in the ammonia sector until now. Andrea Olivi, Trafigura's head of wet freight, emphasized the significance of this achievement in demonstrating the feasibility of ammonia bunkering for low-carbon fuels as demand rises. Trafigura's contract for four Medium Gas Carriers (MGCs) capable of utilizing low-carbon ammonia as a propulsion fuel further underscores the industry's commitment to decarbonization. This milestone reflects the increasing momentum towards hydrogen-based low-carbon fuels in the shipping sector to support environmental sustainability and reduce emissions.