India’s Fact issues tender to buy June ammonia

: Fertilizers
26/04/28

Indian fertilizer producer Fact has issued a tender to buy up to 8,000t of ammonia for shipment to Kochi port on or before 15 June.

The tender is expected to close on 11 May. The importer scrapped its 6 April purchase tender to buy up to 8,000t of spot ammonia for delivery to Kochi port by 30 April, after receiving offers close to $1,000/t cfr and deeming the price too high.

Argus last assessed delivered ammonia prices into India at a midpoint of $850/t cfr on 23 April. But sellers have been facing resistance from buyers at prices above $850/t cfr because downstream markets are unable to absorb the higher raw material prices. Some fertilizer buyers have also extended their planned turnarounds at units.

By Dinise Chng

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26/04/27

Romanian gov’t faces collapse after coalition split

London, 27 April (Argus) — The Romanian government could collapse after one of the country's until recently ruling parties joined forces with an opposition grouping to try to topple the current coalition government. The centre-left Social Democratic Party (PSD), formerly part of the governing coalition, and the far-right Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) announced on Monday that they are preparing a no-confidence motion to be put to parliament next week. The two parties may be able to muster a combined 219 votes, 14 short of the simple majority needed to pass the motion. But they could secure another 41 votes from the other opposition parties to bring down the government. The coalition was until last week led by Ilie Bolojan from the centre-right National Liberal Party (PNL). But the ruling alliance between the PNL, the PSD and the centre-right Save Romania Party fell apart on 20 April after the PSD suddenly withdrew from the arrangement. Monday's announcement provoked little response from the Romanian bond or currency markets. Shares in publicly listed state-owned energy companies moved in mixed directions at market close on 27 April. Electricity provider Electrica was down by 3.3pc on Monday, nuclear generator Nuclearelectrica fell by 1.75pc, while gas grid operator Transgaz was up by 0.77pc and gas producer Romgaz rose by 0.94pc. Romania generates around a quarter of its energy from natural gas, IEA estimates show. But high domestic Romanian gas production limits the country's reliance on imports, with domestic output able to account for approximately 93pc of gas demand in 2025, gas grid operator Transgaz data show. Bolojan today took interim leadership of the energy ministry for the 45-day period until the government has to form a new coalition. Bolojan had previously been involved in talks over the acquisition of domestic fertilizer producer Azomures by state-owned Romgaz from Switzerland-based trading firm Ameropa. By Aidan Hall and Alexandra Luca Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Divisions deepen over carbon pricing ahead of IMO talks

26/04/27

Divisions deepen over carbon pricing ahead of IMO talks

Dubai, 27 April (Argus) — Shipping industry groups and governments enter a critical round of talks at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) this week facing deepening divisions over how to cut emissions, with no clear consensus on the design or cost of decarbonisation. The 84th meeting of the IMO's Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), being held in London, follows a previous meeting in October that ended without agreement on a global emissions framework. IMO secretary=general Arsenio Dominguez later described the outcome as a "small setback", while stressing that the sector's decarbonisation efforts remain on track. At the centre of the dispute is the proposed net-zero framework (NZF), which includes a carbon pricing mechanism intended to accelerate the shift to low-emission fuels. Supporters see the framework as a necessary investment signal, while critics warn it would impose costs the sector is not yet equipped to absorb. A coalition spanning shipowners, shipping companies and ship registries — including Liberia, Panama and the Marshall Islands, which together account for a large share of the global fleet — has called for alternative approaches to be considered. The group has warned that support for the NZF "in its current form" has eroded. It is pushing for a more flexible, technology-neutral framework that would allow continued use of transitional fuels such as LNG and biofuels, while avoiding penalty-based mechanisms that could raise costs for operators and consumers. In contrast, a separate coalition of ports, logistics firms and clean fuel developers has urged governments to adopt the NZF, arguing that further delays would undermine investment in alternative fuels and slow the energy transition. The divergence highlights a deeper split within the shipping ecosystem. Shipowners and flag states are prioritising cost, fuel availability and operational feasibility at a time of heightened disruption in energy markets caused by the Iran war, while fuel suppliers and infrastructure developers are seeking regulatory certainty to underpin long-term investments. EU countries are expected to continue backing a carbon levy. The US has opposed such measures, which contributed to the postponement of a decision at last year's IMO meeting. Dominguez has also pointed to the current geopolitical environment — including disruptions to energy markets and shipping routes — as reinforcing the need to balance energy security, affordability and sustainability, a dynamic increasingly shaping the sector's approach to decarbonisation. Industry sources aligned with developing countries within the IMO told Argus that proposals based on carbon pricing or penalty mechanisms risk distorting trade flows and placing a disproportionate burden on emerging economies. They instead favour a more "pragmatic" and technology-neutral approach that reflects differing levels of fuel availability, infrastructure and economic capacity. The sources added that support from major flag states is procedurally significant, noting that backing from countries representing a large share of the global fleet will be critical to reaching any agreement. The result is a negotiation that is as much about cost allocation and regulatory design as it is about climate ambition. With no final decision expected at this week's meeting, discussions are likely to extend through the year, leaving shipowners, fuel producers and investors facing continued uncertainty over the future regulatory framework. Shipping accounts for around 3pc of global emissions and carries roughly 80pc of world trade, underscoring the importance of the IMO process for global energy markets and supply chains. By Bachar Halabi Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Libya's NOC announces sulphur export tender

26/04/27

Libya's NOC announces sulphur export tender

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India plans joint buying of fertilizers, raw materials

26/04/24

India plans joint buying of fertilizers, raw materials

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India’s IPL issues tender to buy 1.6mn t of DAP/TSP

26/04/24

India’s IPL issues tender to buy 1.6mn t of DAP/TSP

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