- Groundbreaking Shipment Paves the Way for Low-Carbon Fuel Transport
- Innovative Co-Loading of Ammonia and LPG Demonstrates Efficiency and Safety
- Trafigura’s Green Power Vessel Revolutionizes Low-Carbon Shipping Solutions
Trafigura, a global leader in commodities trading, in partnership with CF Industries, the world’s largest ammonia producer, has successfully completed the first co-loaded shipment of ammonia and propane. The Green Power Medium Gas Carrier (MGC) carried ammonia from CF Industries and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG or propane) in separate tanks on a single voyage from the US to Europe in early January, reports Trafigura.
Demonstrating Efficient Low-Carbon Transport Solutions
The co-loading project acts as a proof of concept for efficiently moving low-carbon ammonia to ports with fluctuating demand levels. This new technology minimizes full ammonia-only shipment requirements, hence providing scalable delivery of low-emission fuels. Low-carbon ammonia is now increasingly seen as a major alternative fuel for the coal co-firing industry as well as in the marine shipping industry that moves from heavy oil to lower carbon alternatives.
Patricio Norris, Global Head of Ammonia and LPG for Trafigura, explained the value of the operation: “We transport LPG and ammonia from the US to Europe on similar ships on a regular basis. We can improve the economics for our customers and reduce emissions with fewer voyages by safely co-loading Ammonia and LPG in the same vessel.”
Supporting the Transition to Low-Carbon Ammonia
This initiative falls in line with CF Industries’ innovation and expansion of the low-carbon ammonia market. According to Bert Frost, Executive Vice President of Sales, Market Development, and Supply Chain at CF Industries, collaboration is key to the progress of the industry: “We appreciate the partnership we have with Trafigura as we take steps together to help prepare for demand growth of low-carbon ammonia and the expected transition of the marine shipping industry to low-carbon ammonia as a fuel. Ammonia is safely transported around the world by vessels daily, and this voyage reinforces the flexibility we have to serve emerging low-carbon ammonia demand as we innovate shipping methods with industry leaders such as Trafigura.”
In the operation, high safety standards were implemented: liquids and condensates and vapours were segregated, full risk assessment and government approvals were conducted. Ammonia took place from CF Industries’ Donaldsonville, Louisiana facility, while LPG is added in Corpus Christi, Texas. Coordination with multifarious stakeholders is necessary for shipment, such as the US Coast Guard, shipowner and operator Purus, and STS Company International Fender Providers (IFP). After crossing the Atlantic Ocean, the LPG was discharged via ship-to-ship (STS) transfer in the Mediterranean for domestic heating purposes, while the ammonia was offloaded at Tees Port for CF Fertilisers UK.
Pioneering Sustainable Shipping Practices
The co-loaded shipment builds on Trafigura’s earlier milestone—the first ship-to-ship ammonia transfer conducted in July 2024 for CF Industries. This demonstrated the feasibility of ammonia bunkering, a critical step toward decarbonizing the shipping industry.
CF Industries is also developing a CCS project at its Donaldsonville site, which will start up in 2025. This will enable the production of large volumes of low-carbon ammonia, which will further accelerate the transition to hydrogen-based low-carbon fuels. This collaboration between Trafigura and CF Industries is a critical step forward in the pursuit of sustainable and efficient shipping solutions for a decarbonized future.
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Source: Trafigura
