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Amogy sails clean ammonia-run boat in US

  • : Fertilizers
  • 24/09/26

US-based fuel cell developer Amogy has successfully sailed a carbon-free, clean ammonia-powered tugboat on an inland waterway in upstate New York, Hudson River on 23 September, the firm said.

Amogy retrofitted a diesel generator and electric motor tugboat from 1957 with its clean power generation technology. The NH3 Kraken vessel had been designed to accommodate a 1MW ammonia-to-power system, but further testing will be required to determine the exact power output. Norwegian fertiliser producer Yara supplied the green ammonia feedstock for the demonstration.

Amogy's ammonia-to-electrical power technology involves feeding liquefied ammonia through a modular cracking unit that converts the ammonia into hydrogen and nitrogen. The hydrogen is then funnelled into a fuel cell to generate electricity, with zero carbon emissions. This technology offers a sustainable and clean energy situation for hard-to-abate sectors like maritime shipping and stationary power generation applications. The modular technology is also scalable and can be ramped up according to vessel size or customised to fit specific power requirements. Safety measures, including sensors that are approved by various classification systems, will be included, along with proper training on usage.

The demonstration with the NH3 Kraken tugboat is the largest application of Amogy's technology to date, from previous successful demonstrations of an aerial drone, commercial farm tractor, and semi-truck. Amogy is seeking to apply knowledge from this demonstration to other applications including retrofit projects and newbuilds.

"By demonstrating our technology on the water for the first time, we've gained invaluable knowledge that will help us move quickly to commercialisation and real-world applications", said CEO and co-founder of Amogy, Seonghoon Woo.

Amogy aims to fully implement its maritime technology on small to medium-sized vessels eventually, Argus understands. It is also exploring the possibility of using its ammonia-to-electricity system as a cleaner alternative to existing auxiliary engines in large vessels. This would help power a ship's systems and equipment with cleaner energy, alongside its main engine.


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24/12/12

Namibia bans fertilizer deliveries to neighbours

Namibia bans fertilizer deliveries to neighbours

London, 12 December (Argus) — The Namibian government has prohibited the import, storage, packaging and transit of fertilizers for delivery to countries other than Namibia. A notice was issued by the agriculture, water and land reform ministry (MAWLR) on 22 November to all companies revoking the importation and in-transit permits for fertilizers. It states that companies have 21 days to package the product in 1t bags and export the material or "surrender the products for destruction" at the company's cost. The ban comes into effect on 13 December. The notice applies to urea, MAP, DAP, amsul, CAN, NOP, MOP, SOP, NPK and magnesium sulphate. The duration of this ban is not yet known. Vessels offloading cargo intended for delivery outside Namibia will not be allowed to dock. The notice cites that the handling and storage of bulk and bagged fertilizers at Walvis Bay does not meet regulatory requirements. It also states that environmental and safety risks for contamination, leakage and exposure to external elements could have a long-term effect. The Walvis Bay port is used for offloading fertilizer deliveries before they are transited to inland countries such as Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Shipments for these countries are now likely to be rerouted through Beira, Mozambique. Negotiations between the governments of Namibia and Zambia are reportedly under way. Zambia is currently experiencing a severe fertilizer shortage, and given the delays at Beira, importing via Namibia and transporting it inland is the country's next best alternative to procure the volumes in time. By Upasruti Biswas and Nykole King Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Australia’s Agfert to raise fertilizer storage capacity


24/12/12
24/12/12

Australia’s Agfert to raise fertilizer storage capacity

Sydney, 12 December (Argus) — Australia's Agfert Fertilizers expects its new 20,000t fertilizer storage and distribution centre on the Eyre peninsula in South Australia to be completed in February or March next year to meet demand for the new fertilizer application season. The new centre will have around 10,000m² of undercover storage, split into three large stockpiles and eight smaller areas. Equipped with five multi-hoppers, products at the facility will be able to load on an 80m weighbridge, supporting triple road trains loading at the facility. Once completed, Agfert Fertilizers will have approximately 80,000t of fertilizer storage across Southern Australia. Urea, phosphates, and other fertilizers will all be stored at Agfert's Cowell and Balaklava facilities, with the total throughput expected to be around 100,000 t/yr or more. Fertilizers in Southern Australia are mostly used on wheat, barley, canola, and legumes. Agfert will also store and distribute ''N-Shield Urea,'' which increases fertilizer efficiency by reducing leaching by up to 30pc while also lowering greenhouse gas emissions. The inhibitor helps keep the nitrogen in the immediate profile, increasing yields by not losing them to volatilisation or underground water streams. By Tom Woodlock Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Ice AOA ammonia contract volumes pass 26,500t


24/12/11
24/12/11

Ice AOA ammonia contract volumes pass 26,500t

London, 11 December (Argus) — The Ice Ammonia Outright — Argus Ammonia (AOA) northwest Europe cfr future contract has surpassed 25,000t traded, reaching 26,500t on 9 December. The Ice AOA futures contract was launched on 16 January 2023 and settles against a calendar-month average of the daily Argus northwest Europe cfr duty free price. The contract's block trade minimum threshold is five lots. One lot is the equivalent of 100t. Since the contract launched, all trades have gone through FIS brokers and cleared through Ice. "Ammonia's role in the energy transition highlights its potential as a cornerstone of low-carbon energy solutions, and we are optimistic about the bright future for this product," FIS ammonia and fertilizer broker Kieran Walsh said. Ammonia is gaining traction as a potential method of decarbonising energy sectors, by producing it using renewable energy sources or through carbon capture and storage techniques. It can potentially be used directly as a fuel source in the marine sector, for co-firing in power generation or as a hydrogen carrier. More than 3mn t of physical ammonia has been imported into northwest Europe so far in 2024, according to Argus line-up data . Europe as a whole accounts for about a fifth of global ammonia imports, or about 4mn-5mn t/yr. By Ruth Sharpe Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

India’s Fact issues tender to buy NPK and NPS


24/12/09
24/12/09

India’s Fact issues tender to buy NPK and NPS

London, 9 December (Argus) — Indian fertilizer importer Fact has issued a tender to buy 15,000t each of 15-15-15 and 20-20-0+13S, plus or minus 10pc of the respective quantities, closing on 16 December. The company has requested shipment of the 15-15-15 to Tuticorin port and the 20-20-0+13S to New Mangalore port from 15-25 January next year. Fact last month issued a purchase tender for 20,000t of 20-20-0+13S, after having received no offers in its previous tender for the product. Again, no offers were submitted for this tender by the closing date on 25 November. Fact last month also requested 40,000t of 15-15-15. The company received one offer under this tender, but the offer price was not opened. By Aidan Hall Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Yara lifts calcium ammonium nitrate offers to NW Europe


24/12/09
24/12/09

Yara lifts calcium ammonium nitrate offers to NW Europe

Amsterdam, 9 December (Argus) — Norwegian fertilizer major Yara has announced its latest price for calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) for January delivery to German and Benelux markets, higher by €12/t from offers for December delivery. Yara has upped its CAN 27 offer to €317/t cif Germany and Benelux for January delivery, from €305/t cif for December . The upward revision follows firmer European natural gas prices, and an according increase in ammonia production costs, in recent months. Argus' day-ahead assessment of gas at the TTF closed at just over $14.2/mn Btu on 6 December, up from around $12/mn Btu at the start of September. Argus assessed spot prices for CAN 27 in Germany at €295-300/t cif inland on 5 December, with slower activity last week and limited buyer interest at prices above €300/t. By Harry Minihan Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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