In our latest episode of Maritime Ammonia Insights, we explored the findings of a new, landmark environmental study: Ammonia at Sea. Speakers representing the report’s co-authors joined us to discuss the results, what further work is required and how the report is being incorporated into policy discussions at the IMO.
In our latest episode of Ammonia Project Features, Asunción Borras (Engie) and Pablo Wallach (Enaex) presented the HyEx project. Although a historical exporter of nitrogen fertilizers, Chile is now a major importer of ammonia, particularly as a feedstock for manufacturing mining explosives. Solar PV generating potential in Chile’s Atacama desert is among the world’s best, and the HyEx project will leverage this to produce renewable ammonia. By 2030, HyEx could produce enough ammonia to completely replace Enaex’s current ammonia imports, with volume left for exports or other applications.
Last month, AEA Executive Vice-President Hans Vrijenhoef presented to a full house at the 29th AFA International Fertilizer Conference in Cairo, Egypt. Hans covered the challenging task of aligning the current & future ammonia certification tools being developed by various parties. There was also evidence of huge MENA momentum for clean ammonia at the event, both in Egypt and the wider region.
The pair will partner to develop a renewable hydrogen & ammonia project near Abu Dhabi, powered by 650 MW of solar PV in the first phase. The announcement adds to a growing portfolio of electrolysis and CCS-based ammonia projects in the UAE. Also in the Middle East, neighbouring Oman looks to position itself as the ideal “midway” ammonia bunker hub between Rotterdam and Singapore.
bp will lead development of a renewable hydrogen cluster at its existing refinery in Castellón, Spain, with up to 2 GW of on-site electrolysers to be installed by 2030. Renewable hydrogen produced at project HyVal will be used as a feedstock for the refinery, and to decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors in the Valencia region, including ammonia production.
India-based Essar Group will invest $2.4 billion on low-carbon projects at the Stanlow refinery complex near Liverpool, UK. As part of this investment, Essar and Stanlow Terminals will jointly develop an ammonia import terminal. The site will feature deep-water access, cracking facilities and the capacity to handle more than one million tonnes of ammonia imports per year from Gujarat, India.
Exxon Mobil is planning a CCS hydrogen & ammonia production facility at its existing complex in Baytown, Texas, with operations to begin in 2027-8. This week, Korea-based SK Inc. Materials announced they would act as off taker for the CCS ammonia, which will be imported to Korea for use in coal co-combustion.
Three new ammonia-powered, bulk carrier designs have recently been awarded Approval in Principle. In China, SDTR Marine & SDARI’s Kamsarmax dual-fuel design received AiP from the China Classification Society. In Japan, another Kamsarmax-sized vessel developed by Sumitomo and Oshima Shipping was approved, and ClassNK has signed off on a Capemax vessel designed by MOL and Mitsui & Co., which includes an ammonia-powered main engine and hard sails to improve energy efficiency.
ACME and IHI will assess the feasibility of potential joint projects in the ammonia energy space, including production, transportation, distribution, and power generation. Also this week, IHI and GE have presented their findings from an ammonia-powered gas turbine feasibility study, with some favorable fuel economics for ammonia.
Spanish energy & chemicals giant Cepsa has announced two new, significant ammonia partnerships this week. Cepsa will supply renewable ammonia imports to ACE Terminal in Rotterdam from 2027, realizing the vision for a green maritime corridor between the Netherlands and the Mediterranean. And, together with Fertiberia, Cepsa will develop a 1 GW renewable hydrogen plant near the La Rábida energy park. The plant will produce hydrogen feedstock for Fertiberia’s Palos de la Frontera ammonia & fertiliser manufacturing complex, and Cepsa’s own industrial needs in the area.