In a historic achievement for the global bunkering and shipping industries, Trafigura, a market leader in commodities trading, has partnered with CF Industries, the world’s largest producer of ammonia, to successfully complete the first co-loaded shipment of ammonia and propane. This innovative operation involved the Green Power Medium Gas Carrier (MGC) transporting both cargoes on a single voyage from the United States to Europe, showcasing the potential for co-loading to optimize transportation and support low-carbon marine fuels.
Groundbreaking Collaboration Demonstrates Feasibility of Ammonia Bunkering for Low-Carbon Marine Fuel.
Pioneering Co-Loaded Shipment
The landmark voyage began in early January 2025, with ammonia loaded at CF Industries’ Donaldsonville, Louisiana, manufacturing facility, while propane (LPG) was added in separate tanks at Corpus Christi, Texas. The Green Power then embarked on its transatlantic journey, discharging LPG in the Mediterranean for domestic heating use via a ship-to-ship (STS) operation. The ammonia was later offloaded at Tees Port, United Kingdom, for use by CF Fertilisers UK.
Strict segregation protocols ensured complete separation of liquids, condensates, and vapors between the ammonia and propane, ensuring safety and regulatory compliance. This milestone highlights the potential of co-loading operations to serve ports with varied demand profiles and demonstrates the flexibility required for the adoption of low-carbon fuels.
Driving Low-Carbon Shipping Innovation
Trafigura’s Global Head of Ammonia and LPG, Patricio Norris, emphasized the significance of this achievement “We transport LPG and ammonia regularly, but this innovative operation improves economics for customers while reducing emissions through fewer voyages. It’s a testament to the safe and efficient logistics needed for low-carbon energy transitions.”
Bert Frost, Executive Vice President of CF Industries, echoed these sentiments “Ammonia is safely transported globally, and this co-loading operation underscores our capability to meet emerging low-carbon ammonia demands. Partnerships like this with Trafigura prepare us for the marine shipping industry’s transition to low-carbon fuels.”
Expanding Low-Carbon Ammonia Potential
This voyage builds on Trafigura’s successful first ammonia ship-to-ship transfer for CF Industries in July 2024, further demonstrating the feasibility of ammonia bunkering. As demand for hydrogen-based fuels rises, this innovation supports the maritime industry’s shift from heavy fuel oil to sustainable alternatives.
CF Industries is advancing a carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) project at its Donaldsonville facility. Expected to commence in 2025, this initiative will enable the production of substantial volumes of low-carbon ammonia, reinforcing the company’s commitment to decarbonization.
Collaborative Excellence
The project’s success relied on comprehensive planning and partnerships involving multiple stakeholders, including shipowner and operator Purus, STS company International Fender Providers (IFP), and regulatory authorities like the US Coast Guard.
Purus brought its expertise in managing advanced gas carriers to the project. With a focus on decarbonizing maritime services, Purus continues to support sustainable operations across the energy and shipping sectors.
This co-loaded voyage marks a significant step toward decarbonizing global shipping. By advancing ammonia bunkering capabilities, Trafigura and its partners are paving the way for the adoption of low-carbon marine fuels, ensuring a sustainable future for the maritime industry.
About the Key Players
CF Industries Holdings, Inc.
CF Industries is committed to providing clean energy to sustainably feed and fuel the world. With its unparalleled ammonia production network in North America and an advanced decarbonization strategy, CF Industries is a global leader in low-carbon hydrogen and nitrogen products.
Purus
Purus is a world leader in providing global energy customers with maritime services for the gas transport and offshore wind industries. We own and operate one of the world’s largest and youngest fleets of gas carriers, construction service operation vessels (C/SOVs) and crew transfer vessels (CTVs). We are at the forefront of decarbonising the maritime sector, deploying a range of technologies such as clean fuels, energy saving devices, electrification and carbon capture systems. With headquarters in Singapore and Hong Kong, Purus operates from six offices globally, providing customers with technical and commercial ship management in addition to vessel design, contracting, newbuild supervision and crewing services.
Trafigura
Trafigura is a leading commodities group, owned by its employees and founded over 30 years ago. At the heart of global supply, Trafigura connects vital resources to power and build the world. We deploy infrastructure, market expertise and our worldwide logistics network to move oil and petroleum products, metals and minerals, gas and power from where they are produced to where they are needed, forming strong relationships that make supply chains more efficient, secure and sustainable. We invest in renewable energy projects and technologies to facilitate the transition to a low-carbon economy, including through MorGen Energy and joint venture Nala Renewables.
The Trafigura Group also comprises industrial assets and operating businesses including multi-metals producer Nyrstar, fuel storage and distribution company Puma Energy, the Impala Terminals joint venture and Greenergy, supplier and distributor of transportation fuels and biofuels. The Group employs over 13,000 people, of which over 1,400 are shareholders and is active in over 150 countries.
Source Trafigura