Ammonia carriers are starting to reroute away from the Mideast Gulf as the ongoing US-Israel war with Iran prevents vessels from transiting the strait of Hormuz, choking off more than one fifth of the world's ammonia supply.
The Nova Breeze (25,500t) under operation by Japanese trader Mitsui has rerouted from its previous destination of Mesaieed, Qatar, after state-owned QatarEnergy halted production of ammonia and other products on 3 March. The shutdown came after a done strike on operating facilities in Ras Laffan and Mesaieed Industrial City. The vessel will now load next at Bontang in late March and is expected to deliver the cargo to Tampa in the US Gulf for Mosaic.
OCP's Navigator Jorf (25,500t) had been due to load at Ras Al Khair in mid-March from Saudi Arabian producer Maaden. The vessel was heading towards the Cape of Good Hope but has turned around in the south Atlantic Ocean, vessel-tracking data show. Its next destination is not yet known.
Trading firm Trafigura was expected to load its Astor (26,870t) at Jubail, Saudi Arabia, in March and is likely to now be exploring other options. The vessel is currently by Kandla, India.
Maaden and fellow producers Sabic and OQ are all still producing in the Middle East, although Oman's state-owned OQ has had to reduce run rates for safety reasons.
Limited port operations at Salalah have resumed. Salalah may be the only Mideast Gulf port able to export any ammonia while the war continues. But whether individual vessels will be able to load at Salalah will likely depend on owners' risk appetite and war risk premiums.
Laden vessels Eco Oracle (26,870t) and Green One (25,800t) remain trapped inside the Mideast Gulf without any way to transit past the strait of Hormuz.
Maaden's Searambler (25,500t) was due to load at Ras Al Khair in early March for shipment to Iffco at Kandla. The buyer is seeking alternative supply arrangements while the vessel remains idle in the Mideast Gulf. Efforts by US president Donald Trump to guarantee safe passage and political risk insurance for vessels have not been sufficient to reassure vessel insurers and operators, meaning that more than 4 mn t/yr from producers in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, UAE and Iran is currently cut off from global markets.
