Japan’s Mol starts operating LPG-fuelled VLGC
Japanese shipping firm Mitsui OSK Line's (Mol) Singapore-based subsidiary Aramo Shipping started operating today a new LPG-fuelled LPG and ammonia carrier for domestic importer Gyxis.
The 87,119m³ very large gas carrier (VLGC) Aquamarine Progress 2 was built by Japanese shipbuilder Namura Shipbuilding at Namura's Imari shipyard in south Japan's Saga prefecture.
The vessel is equipped with a dual-fuel engine, which can burn LPG and conventional marine fuel. Mol expects use of LPG to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen oxide emissions by 20pc and sulphur oxide and particulate matter emissions by 90pc compared with a heavy oil-dedicated vessel. The VLGC is also designed to be able to carry ammonia, eyeing potential demand growth for decarbonisation.
Japanese shipping firms and shipbuilders have boosted construction of LPG carriers that can also ship ammonia, as demand for the cleaner fuel is expected to increase in future. Japan plans to co-fire ammonia at coal-fired power plants to reduce CO2 emissions, while aiming to use ammonia as a hydrogen carrier.
Shipbuilders Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries each delivered a VLGC, which can carry LPG and liquefied ammonia. Mol, in partnership with shipbuilders Tsuneishi Shipbuilding and Mitsui E&S Shipbuilding, completed risk assessments to design a mid-size ammonia-fuelled ammonia and LPG carrier, targeting to finish construction by 2026.
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Brazil's Parana ports handle record cargo in Aug
Brazil's Parana ports handle record cargo in Aug
Sao Paulo, 16 September (Argus) — The Paranagua and Antonina ports, in Brazil's southern Parana state, handled a record amount of cargo in August thanks to increased fertilizer imports. The two ports handled 6.9mn metric tonnes (t) of cargo in August, up by 14pc from the same month in 2023 and above the prior record of 6.6mn t in June, according to Parana's port authority data. That also surpassed July's handling by 20pc. Imports totaled 2.5mn t last month, a 41pc hike from August 2023 and above the 2.2mn t handled in July. Fertilizer imports increased by 59pc to 1.2mn t in August from a year before and were 29pc — or 265,170t — above the prior month's imports. Exports reached 4.4mn t, up from 4.3mn t in August 2023 and a near 27pc increase from July's exports. Soybean shipments rose by 10pc to 1.9mn t in August from the same month last year. That was also above the 1.3mn t exported in the previous month. Corn exports decreased by 77pc to 72,900t, down from 316,430t shipped in August 2023 and almost in line with July's exports. Exports of bulk sugar increased by 34pc to 836,430t last month from the same period a year ago. That was also up by 77pc from July's exports. Parana ports handled 46.4mn t in January-August, up by 10pc from the same period in 2023, also boosted by higher imports. Imports increased by 23pc to 17.2mn t. Fertilizer imports rose by 14pc to 6.9mn t, up from 6mn t in January-August 2023. Exports totaled 29.2mn t, a 4pc increase from the same eight months last year. Soybean shipments rose by 11pc to 11.2mn t in the period, while corn exports dropped by 80pc to 581,730t from the same eight-month period in 2023. Wheat exports in January-August more than tripled to 171,830t from the same period a year before. Sugar shipments increased by 46pc to 4.2mn t. By Maria Albuquerque Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
NGL pipeline burning in La Porte, Texas: Update
NGL pipeline burning in La Porte, Texas: Update
Houston, 16 September (Argus) — A natural gas liquids (NGL) pipeline operated by Energy Transfer Partners caught fire in La Porte, Texas, this morning, sending a bright orange plume of flame hundreds of feet into the air and leading to evacuations of nearby homes and businesses. The fire started at a valve station for a 20-inch NGL line, Energy Transfer said, located in a right-of-way shared with a number of other pipelines and high voltage power lines about 17 miles southeast of downtown Houston. Energy Transfer said the line has been isolated so that the residual product in the line can safely burn itself out. "We have no timeline at this point on how long that process will take, but we are working closely with local authorities," the company said. In a broadcast press conference today La Porte officials said it would likely be many hours until the fire burns out. Energy Transfer said it was aware of reports indicating that an unknown passenger car entered the right-of-way and struck the valve location. A vehicle could be seen very close to the flaring pipeline in video broadcasts of the fire this morning. The fire was first reported at 11:24am ET by the La Porte Office of Emergency Management via the X social media platform. The fire is near the intersection of Somerton Drive and Spencer Highway. First responders, including Harris County hazardous materials officials, were on the scene at the time of the post. The right-of-way includes a refined products pipeline system, various petrochemical pipelines, a Shell butadiene line, a Chevron ethylene line and an Enbridge Energy natural gas pipeline. Chevron said its pipeline was not affected by the fire. A shelter-in-place order has been issued for the nearby San Jacinto College campus and La Porte is recommending an evacuation of all homes and businesses between Luella and Canada roads. By Michael Camarda and Gordon Pollock Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Chilean 2025 sulphuric acid contract talks kick off
Chilean 2025 sulphuric acid contract talks kick off
Washington, 16 September (Argus) — Contract negotiations for sulphuric acid supply to Chile during 2025 got under way at a major industry conference this week, with more than 2mn t to be priced. The spot price for fourth-quarter deliveries to Chile — usually a guide in talks — has averaged $163/t cfr on a midpoint basis during the third quarter, well above the $127.50/t cfr average for the current annual contract. Tight availability from most key suppliers — especially South Korea, Japan and northwest Europe — has kept spot delivered prices above the annual benchmark for several months. Suppliers will probably argue that Asian import parity will be the key factor for 2025 prices, with fewer northwest European cargoes arriving in Chile this year as a result of maintenance and Morocco's OCP absorbing spot volumes. Argus forecasts that OCP will import about 2mn t of acid in 2024, reflecting firm demand for finished phosphate products while a new sulphur burner capacity comes on line. OCP will continue importing acid as the burner ramps up. Buyers, on the other hand, will probably argue that availability will rise in Asia, and that this will lead to a shift in market dynamics in 2025. Chinese capacity is expected to increase as smelters come on stream, but tight global supply of copper concentrates could lead to an increase in idled capacity and limit acid availability for exports. Another key factor is Indonesia, where large smelters and sulphur burners associated with the electric vehicle industry are ramping up, removing some demand next year. Indonesia's sulphuric acid imports dropped by 14pc in January-July to 642,000t, after several buyers launched burners and switched to buying sulphur instead. Sulphur imports surged by 41pc in the first seven months of the year to 1.91mn t, following the expansion of burning operations at Obi Island and Sulawesi. These factors will probably foster buyer caution. But with smelting utilisation rates in Chile estimated at 65pc in 2023, below the global average of 78.2pc, according to Chilean copper commission Cochilco, the country will continue to rely on imports. By Lili Minton Chile cfr spot vs contract Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Kenya's NCPB extends fertilizer tender
Kenya's NCPB extends fertilizer tender
London, 16 September (Argus) — Kenya's NCPB has extended the closing date of its buy tender for 245,000t of various fertilizers for the 2024-25 season under the country's fertilizer subsidy programme to 19 September. The closing date had previously been set for 13 September. By Nykole King Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
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