Alt-fuel ship orders fall in 1H25: DNV

: Fertilizers, Hydrogen, LPG, Natural gas, Petrochemicals
25/07/15

Ship orders for new alternative-fuelled vessels fell to 151 in the first half of 2025 compared with 179 a year earlier, according to Norway-based classification agency DNV. These orders represented 19.8mn gross tonnes, up by 78pc from the same period in 2024. LNG-fuelled vessels accounted for 87 of the new orders in the first half, followed by 40 methanol-fuelled ships, 17 LPG-powered vessels, and four hydrogen and three ammonia-fuelled ships. Orders stood at 19 in June, up from 16 in May, with two of these LPG-fuelled carriers. The total fleet of ships that could run on LPG stood at just over 150 in the final quarter of last year, with around 126 on order by 2028 following the latest additions, as orders lag other fuel types despite low prices because of safety issues and a lack of four-stroke engines.

New orders, 1H 2025
Fuel	Number of vessels

LNG-fueled	87
Methanol-fueled	40
LPG-fueled	17
Hydrogen-fueled	4
Ammonia-fueled	3
DNV

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26/04/29

Indonesia’s Huafei to cut MHP output on sulphur costs

Singapore, 29 April (Argus) — China's major battery materials producer Huayou will place half of its mixed hydroxide precipitate (MHP) capacity at its Indonesian subsidiary, Huafei Nickel Cobalt, into temporary care and maintenance from 1 May, citing elevated sulphur costs and prolonged high operating rates at the facilities, the company said on 28 April. The move is described as a short-term response to elevated input costs and deferred maintenance requirements following sustained high utilisation. The company does not expect the temporary suspension to adversely affect its long-term development but did not disclose a timeline for operations to resume. Sulphur prices have risen significantly because of the ongoing US-Iran war, as nearly half of global seaborne sulphur trade transits the strait of Hormuz. Argus -assessed granular sulphur cfr Indonesia prices at $948/t on a midpoint basis on 23 April, up by $434/t, or 84pc, from $514/t cfr on 26 February, before the outbreak of the war. Sulphur is now estimated to account for 35-40pc of high pressure acid leaching (HPAL) operating costs, up from a more typical 25pc. Indonesia is heavily exposed to the supply shock, having sourced around 75pc of its 5.34mn t of sulphur imports from the Middle East last year. The temporary suspension has supported MHP market sentiment and prices. Offers for MHP rose to 95pc of London Metal Exchange (LME) nickel prices for nickel payable on 28 April, from 91pc in March, although no deals have yet been concluded at this level. Huafei secured permits to import sulphuric acid from Jakarta in April, although approved volumes have not been disclosed. Huayou is also seeking to reduce its exposure to the sulphur market by accelerating process upgrades and expanding sulphur sourcing channels. The company aims to address the issue through the construction of acid production projects using pyrite and phosphogypsum, which are expected to come on stream by the end of 2026. Huayou has not specified which subsidiaries will deploy the technology. Huafei began production at Weda Bay in North Maluku province in 2023 and has a capacity of 120,000 t/yr of nickel equivalent in the form of MHP. Huafei is Huayou's second MHP project in Indonesia, following Huayue in Morowali, Sulawesi province, which started production in 2021 and has 60,000 t/yr of nickel-equivalent capacity in the form of MHP. Output at the two projects has exceeded their nameplate capacities. Huayou's MHP shipments reached 236,500 t in 2025, up by 30pc year-on-year, while total nickel production across all products rose by 59pc on the year to 292,500t in nickel metal equivalent. Huayou's KNI MHP project remains under construction. The project is a joint venture between Huayou, Brazilian multi-metals mining group Vale and US automaker Ford, with planned capacity of 120,000 t/yr in nickel metal equivalent and start-up scheduled for December. By Deon Ngee, Sheih Li Wong Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Australia promises no gas tax on existing LNG contracts

26/04/29

Australia promises no gas tax on existing LNG contracts

Sydney, 29 April (Argus) — No export taxes will be placed on LNG contracted by trade partners, Australia's prime minister has promised, after weeks of intensive lobbying by unions, anti-gas campaigners, economists and industry. The weeks following the US-Iran war showed it was critical to not jeopardise trade links with Asia or the investment needed from overseas partners, prime minister Anthony Albanese said in Perth on 29 April. Anti-fossil fuel groups had been calling for a 25pc tax on exports to raise money for Australia's weakening federal budget. But Western Australia's premier and other key Labor politicians close to the resources sector opposed such measures, citing the need for investment continuity . An east coast gas reservation would instead be instituted but only affect future export contracts , Albanese added. The ongoing shock from the Middle East war is leading to a renewed spotlight on Australia's lack of sovereign refining capacity. Australian ministers have been regularly dispatched to trading partners in east Asia in recent weeks to shore up supplies of gasoil, gasoline and jet fuel as well as fertilizer. Australia holds only 49 days' supply , slightly more than half of the IEA's mandated net import coverage of 90-days at the end of February and down by one day from January. Australia held 44 days of gasoline, 33 days of gasoil and 30 days of jet fuel consumption under its minimum stockholding obligation as of 21 April. The foreign minister is travelling to Japan, China and South Korea this week , which receive large volumes of Australian LNG and also export significant fuel volumes to Australia. By Tom Major Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Senator to file bill to end Morocco phos duties

26/04/28

Senator to file bill to end Morocco phos duties

Houston, 28 April (Argus) — A US senator plans to introduce a bill to remove countervailing duties on phosphate imports from Morocco in reaction to a growing fertilizer affordability crisis for farmers. US Senator Roger Marshall (R-Kansas) teased plans for the legislation on Tuesday alongside US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and White House cabinet officials as part of a greater effort to alleviate cost pressures on growers. The Lowering of Input Costs for American Farmers Act would eliminate the countervailing duties on phosphate imports from Morocco, the leading global producer. If enacted, the elimination of the duties will lower the cost of phosphate fertilizer by over 20pc, or roughly $150/short ton (st), Marshall said. Nola DAP last week was roughly $710/st fob, compared with $647.50/st a year earlier but much lower than last week's India DAP price of $865/t cfr. US phosphate prices have trended higher than historic norms since countervailing duties on imports from both Russia and Morocco were imposed in 2021 after US producer Mosaic alleged the two countries' phosphate imports materially injured the US market. US combined imports of DAP and MAP reached a record 1.85mn t in 2018, but have averaged just 182,300 t/yr from 2021-25, according to US Commerce data. But Tuesday's announcement comes just roughly two months after the start of the US Department of Commerce's five-year sunset review of the duties, in partnership with the US International Trade Commission. Throughout the speech, the USDA along with other federal entities cited a variety of short-term and long-term actions being taken to ease pressures felt by growers, mostly in relation to various supply issues and concerns that have significantly elevated fertilizer costs. Alongside Marshall's bill, other legislation has been also been filed with aims to lower fertilizer costs such as the Fertilizer Price Transparency Act and the Fertilizer Research Act. US phosphate imports have been marked by years of turmoil, with the product's imports being notably deterred by import tariffs, countervailing duties and more recently the loss of seaborne tons from Saudi Arabia through the strait of Hormuz because of the Mideast Gulf war. By Taylor Zavala Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Fossil-fuel talk participants call for framework

26/04/28

Fossil-fuel talk participants call for framework

Santa Marta, 28 April (Argus) — Some countries participating in a conference in Colombia to discuss a transition away from fossil fuels called for stronger international cooperation and legal frameworks to help manage the shift. Around 60 countries are participating in the First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels in Santa, Marta, Colombia, and co-hosted by the Netherlands from 24-29 April. The two-day conference, which gathers ministers and other high-level officials from the participating countries, began on Tuesday. The participating countries — which together account for around one-fifth of global oil production, one-third of consumption and one-third of the world's GDP, Colombia has said — mentioned frustrations over existing multilateral frameworks based on consensus and "influenced by interests of the fossil fuel industry". Colombia's environment minister Irene Velez-Torres called for "multilateralism without de facto vetoes" that is "capable of translating agreements into implementation". "We must pave the way for a legal instrument that names what it phases out and how we finance it," Panama's special representative for climate change Juan Monterrey said, also calling on participating countries to commit to banning drilling for hydrocarbons in specific zones. Monterrey also told Argus that he expects the event to set up a few permanent working groups or streams that can carry the work in the future. Other speakers at the plenary, such as Slovenia's state secretary Uros Vajgl, Germany's environment and climate action secretary Jochen Flasbarth and Spain's ecological transition minister Sara Aagesen also urged for "practical cooperation". Others, such as Nigeria's regional development minister, said that the countries must discuss the phase down, not out, of fossil fuels. Nigeria is a crude producer and its national energy mix is heavily reliant on fossil fuels. Brazil's secretary for climate change Aloisio de Melo said on the sidelines that a fossil fuel phase out would not be one-size-fits-all. "There is no ambition for a standard roadmap," he said, adding that it is important that each country takes ownership of its own process. Many countries also mentioned a recent International Court of Justice advisory opinion that said that countries have obligations to contribute to cutting emissions, and breaching those commitments could constitute a "wrongful act". Reality check Many participating countries also emphasized how the effects of the war in Iran on fuel prices have underscored the need to transition away from fossil fuels. EU climate commissioner Wopke Hoekstra called the energy crisis brought on by the war in Iran "a reality check". "We in Europe are losing half a billion euros each day this war continues," he said. It would be "irresponsible to ignore the second energy crisis in five years", the UK's special climate representative Rachel Kyte said. The war in Iran has shown that "a fast implementation of the agreed transition from fossil fuels is not just vital to combat climate change, but is also vital for energy security and energy," Cop 30 chief executive Ana Toni told conference attendees in Santa Marta. By Lucas Parolin Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

No clear timeline for Brazil fossil fuel phase out

26/04/28

No clear timeline for Brazil fossil fuel phase out

Santa Marta, 28 April (Argus) — Brazil has no set timeline to publish its roadmap to phase out fossil fuels, the environment ministry's secretary for climate change Aloisio de Melo told Argus . Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on 8 December asked the energy, environment and finance ministries to draft a resolution by February mapping out the phase-out of fossil fuels. That had followed Lula's previous calls to create an international plan to move away from fossil fuels during a leaders' summit only a few days before the UN Cop 30 climate summit held in November in Brazil. But the call did not make it to the summit's final decision despite backing´ from over 80 countries . Instead, the Cop 30 presidency pledged to create a roadmap on the issue outside of official negotiations. But the Brazilian ministries never published the resolution requested by Lula. Instead, the plan has been submitted to the national energy policy council, which will be responsible for developing it, de Melo said in the sidelines of the First Conference on the Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels , being held in Santa Marta, Colombia, from 24-29 April. The process to draft Brazil's roadmap has many moving parts and will "involve a lot of dialogue", de Melo said. "It's a process and we're not simplifying the approach," he said. "It's not just a matter of having big long-term goals, but of having a real trajectory with clear milestones, instruments, means and so on," which is "much more complex", he he said. One of the discussions surrounding the roadmap is its timeline, de Melo said, adding that the process "will take quite a bit of time" because it needs to have "a strong, solid institutional base that truly integrates with Brazil's energy planning". "It's not about having a document with some grand speeches and messages, but something that is actually consistent, solid and guiding over time and that transcends presidential administrations", he said. Phasing out fossil fuels could run counter to Brazil's plans of increasing crude production. It produces around 4mn b/d of crude , making it one of the 10 largest producers globally, according to its hydrocarbon regulator ANP. The country plans to expand crude output to 5.3mn b/d by 2030, according to energy research bureau Epe, hinging on new exploratory frontiers such as the southern Pelotas basin and the environmentally sensitive equatorial margin. But the production goals and the roadmap can coexist, de Melo said. The plan will focus on some decarbonization solutions that are "more or less ready and actionable" such as biofuels, he said. "But there are other solutions that are in the development and finalization phase." Additionally, Brazil's planned production growth will not take place in the short term, he said. So there is time to see how fossil fuels, mainly for transportation, will be used in a cleaner energy matrix over time. By Lucas Parolin Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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