February 2024
Abu Dhabi, UAE

Argus Clean Ammonia Middle East Conference

Conference speakers in 2023 included:

Magdy Ali
Principal Hydrogen Studies, Adnoc
• 20+ years operations, projects & asset mgmt. in H2 and derivatives (incl. ammonia) • ADNOC SME for NH3/H2 • Led Fertiglobe JV asset mgmt. and IPO DD • Led ADNOC blue NH3 pilot, certification and H2 value chain studies • Led 2 ADNOC international Fertilizer JV technical DD • Previously worked at Fertil, OCI, AGIBA Petroleum
• 20+ years operations, projects & asset mgmt. in H2 and derivatives (incl. ammonia) • ADNOC SME for NH3/H2 • Led Fertiglobe JV asset mgmt. and IPO DD • Led ADNOC blue NH3 pilot, certification and H2 value chain studies • Led 2 ADNOC international Fertilizer JV technical DD • Previously worked at Fertil, OCI, AGIBA Petroleum
Ashwani Dudeja
President & Director (Green Hydrogen and Ammonia), ACME Group
Ashwani has nearly 30 years of marketing and business development experience in the energy sector and has worked across Asia and Europe in various functional and leadership roles. He has contributed to the development of gas and power markets, enabling policies and regulatory frameworks by leveraging his rich global experience. He is currently leading the green hydrogen an...
Ashwani has nearly 30 years of marketing and business development experience in the energy sector and has worked across Asia and Europe in various functional and leadership roles. He has contributed to the development of gas and power markets, enabling policies and regulatory frameworks by leveraging his rich global experience. He is currently leading the green hydrogen and ammonia business for ACME Group as president and director based out of Dubai. Prior to joining ACME, Ashwani was heading the global LNG marketing business for ADNOC, the national oil company of UAE. Previously, Ashwani worked for 20 years with Shell (and BG Group) and his last role was as the country head for Shell Energy India, responsible for the gas, LNG and power businesses of Shell in India. He also worked with Reliance Industries and Thermax before joining Shell. Ashwani holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Delhi Technological University, and a post graduate diploma in business management from Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai.
David Edmondson
CEO, NEOM Green Hydrogen Company (NGHC)
ElSayed Ashraf Hassan
Chief Strategy Officer, Qatar Fertiliser Company (QAFCO)
Elsayed joined the company in 2017 and is currently responsible for Qafco’s strategic planning, business development, risk management and cyber-security governance functions. Before this, Elsayed was chief strategy officer for Oryx GTL. Elsayed started his career with QatarEnergy’s Offshore Operations (then QGPC) in 1988, working under the operations directorate. He gradu...
Elsayed joined the company in 2017 and is currently responsible for Qafco’s strategic planning, business development, risk management and cyber-security governance functions. Before this, Elsayed was chief strategy officer for Oryx GTL. Elsayed started his career with QatarEnergy’s Offshore Operations (then QGPC) in 1988, working under the operations directorate. He graduated from Qatar University in 1986 with a degree in mechanical engineering.
Ahmed Harby
Director Operations and Logistics, Fertiglobe
Dr Nobuhiko Kubota
Managing Executive Officer, IHI Corporation
Dr Kubota joined IHI Corporation in 1990, and had numerous general management roles in various departments. In 2019 he became Associate Director and General Manager of the Business Development Department of Resources, Energy and Environment Business Area. He has been in his current post since April this year. Dr Kubota obtained his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in En...
Dr Kubota joined IHI Corporation in 1990, and had numerous general management roles in various departments. In 2019 he became Associate Director and General Manager of the Business Development Department of Resources, Energy and Environment Business Area. He has been in his current post since April this year. Dr Kubota obtained his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Engineering at Yokohama National University in 1988 and 1990, respectively, and completed his doctorate in Engineering at the University of Tokyo in 1997.
Cornelius Matthes
CEO, Dii Desert Energy
Vibeke Rasmussen
SVP Product Management and Certification, Yara Clean Ammonia
Vibeke joined Yara in 2014, where she has been working within R&D as head of the NPK and environmental technologies department, and as product quality director prior to joining the Yara Clean Ammonia team. Prior to joining Yara, Vibeke worked within the waste and water industry for many years, where she also held managerial positions. She was managing director for Norwegia...
Vibeke joined Yara in 2014, where she has been working within R&D as head of the NPK and environmental technologies department, and as product quality director prior to joining the Yara Clean Ammonia team. Prior to joining Yara, Vibeke worked within the waste and water industry for many years, where she also held managerial positions. She was managing director for Norwegian water and wastewater engineering company BioTek, and was also COO for KrugerKaldnes, which is part of Veolia. Vibeke has an MSc in civil engineering from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, and an MBA from Lincoln University.
Ashok Sivasubramanian
Chief Scientist, Global Technology, SABIC
Lisa Maria Assmann, Ph.D.
Senior Shipbroker, Steem1960 Shipbrokers
Lisa Assmann is Senior Shipbroker at the projects department at Steem1960, where her focus is on long term ammonia projects in addition to other specialised shipping (liquid gases, chemicals and clean petroleum products). Prior to that Lisa has been heading the gas analytics team at Steem1960 for 6 years as a leading expert in LPG, Ammonia and Petrochemical shipping, worki...
Lisa Assmann is Senior Shipbroker at the projects department at Steem1960, where her focus is on long term ammonia projects in addition to other specialised shipping (liquid gases, chemicals and clean petroleum products). Prior to that Lisa has been heading the gas analytics team at Steem1960 for 6 years as a leading expert in LPG, Ammonia and Petrochemical shipping, working closely together with the market’s forefront ammonia shipbroking desk. As part of her previous career Lisa worked in consulting and banking in addition to being a researcher at Norwegian School of Economics in Bergen and the Energy Institute at UCL in London investigating aspects of green shipping and prediction methodology for freight. Lisa holds a Ph.D. in Business Economics and a Master of Science in Energy Economics from Norwegian School of Economics, as well as a B.A. in from Zeppelin university, Friedrichshafen, Germany.
Dr Malcolm Cook
Senior Vice President - Chemicals and Process Technologies, thyssenkrupp
Jong Chen Foo
Global Head of Ammonia, OCI
Francois Dao
Vice-President for Middle East & Africa, EDF Renewables
Emile Herben
Director Product Management & Certification, Yara Clean Ammonia
Emile joined Yara in 2018 and has been working on different aspects of Yara’s transition to clean ammonia, most recently as product manager on certification and customer value propositions. Before joining Yara, he held various roles in manufacturing, engineering and project management. Emile has a master’s degree in chemical engineering from Delft University of Technology....
Emile joined Yara in 2018 and has been working on different aspects of Yara’s transition to clean ammonia, most recently as product manager on certification and customer value propositions. Before joining Yara, he held various roles in manufacturing, engineering and project management. Emile has a master’s degree in chemical engineering from Delft University of Technology.
Tobias Birwe
Sales Director Fertilizer and Methanol, thyssenkrupp uhde
Francisco Jimenez
Senior Business Development Manager – Green Ammonia, Cummins
Francisco is a senior professional with broad experience in large energy and industrial projects. He has held management positions at international companies Alstom, ABB and Amec-Foster Wheeler over the past 15 years, working in initiatives and projects related to renewable energy, thermal power plants and infrastructure projects valued at over $1.5bn. Francisco joined Cum...
Francisco is a senior professional with broad experience in large energy and industrial projects. He has held management positions at international companies Alstom, ABB and Amec-Foster Wheeler over the past 15 years, working in initiatives and projects related to renewable energy, thermal power plants and infrastructure projects valued at over $1.5bn. Francisco joined Cummins in 2021 to develop and implement key strategies covering large-scale green hydrogen plants, mainly focused on green ammonia production. Francisco has an MA in industrial engineering from the University of Seville in Spain and an MBA from Bradford University School of Management in the UK.
John Kwon
Senior Manager, Chemical Business Division, LOTTE Fine Chemical
John Kwon is a senior manager in Lotte Fine Chemical with 15 years of experience in chemical industry including seven years in the ammonia market as a trading manager. Thanks to this experience in ammonia, he has a strong relationship with various stakeholders including suppliers, buyers, shipowners and researchers in the ammonia sector. John specialises in sales and marke...
John Kwon is a senior manager in Lotte Fine Chemical with 15 years of experience in chemical industry including seven years in the ammonia market as a trading manager. Thanks to this experience in ammonia, he has a strong relationship with various stakeholders including suppliers, buyers, shipowners and researchers in the ammonia sector. John specialises in sales and marketing strategy and is passionate to find new business opportunities with great partners all over the world. He is now a member of the New Business Development TF Team related to blue/green ammonia for Lotte Fine Chemical. The company is a leader in the promotion of blue/green ammonia in South Korea. John graduated from Sunkyunkwan University in South Korea and finished his MBA in Barcelona, Spain, from IESE Business School in 2015.
Jorge Palomar Herrero
Head of Global Business Development, Green Hydrogen Division, Iberdrola
Jorge has more than 20 years’ experience in the energy sector, taking in engineering and fuel trading. He has served as Iberdrola’s Head of Global Operations and Trading in Europe and Head of Corporate PPAs. In his current role, Jorge is responsible for more than 60 projects being developed in eight countries. He has a degree in mining engineering from Universidad Politécn...
Jorge has more than 20 years’ experience in the energy sector, taking in engineering and fuel trading. He has served as Iberdrola’s Head of Global Operations and Trading in Europe and Head of Corporate PPAs. In his current role, Jorge is responsible for more than 60 projects being developed in eight countries. He has a degree in mining engineering from Universidad Politécnica of Madrid (Spain), an International executive MBA from Universidad Antonio de Nebrija and a master’s in energy industry economics from Carlos III University, and has also taken several leadership programmes at the IMD Business School.
Alexander Sarac
Partner, Infrastructure, Projects and Energy, Addleshaw Goddard
Alexander Sarac is a partner in the Dubai office of Addleshaw Goddard. Alexander advises on regulatory, corporate and project development and finance-related aspects of energy transactions, mainly in Africa and the Middle East. His clients include industry, governments, financial institutions and regional and international development banks. Alexander works with clients t...
Alexander Sarac is a partner in the Dubai office of Addleshaw Goddard. Alexander advises on regulatory, corporate and project development and finance-related aspects of energy transactions, mainly in Africa and the Middle East. His clients include industry, governments, financial institutions and regional and international development banks. Alexander works with clients to meet their decarbonisation goals and his expertise includes project development and financing, advice on regulatory frameworks in the energy transition, renewables projects, and trading of energy commodities (including carbon and emissions trading), in an international trading and investment context. Alexander has been based in Dubai since 2016. Before moving to Dubai, Alexander lived in Germany, the US, the UK, and for several years in East Africa. Alexander is a member of the MENA Hydrogen Alliance and the Dii Advisory Board.
Ruth Sharpe
Editor - Ammonia, Argus
Ruth has been editor of the Argus Ammonia report since 2017, most recently overseeing the report’s expansion into the green ammonia space. She joined Argus in 2009 and covered the coal, biomass and freight markets in the UK and US, before moving into fertilizers in 2016. She has a master’s degree in journalism from Brunel University London.
Ruth has been editor of the Argus Ammonia report since 2017, most recently overseeing the report’s expansion into the green ammonia space. She joined Argus in 2009 and covered the coal, biomass and freight markets in the UK and US, before moving into fertilizers in 2016. She has a master’s degree in journalism from Brunel University London.
Андреа Валентини
Директор, Консалтинговые услуги, Argus
Andrea Valentini has 15 years of experience as a commodities market analysis. He is now leading Argus’ research and consulting in blue/green ammonia and carbon markets. Prior to joining Argus, he was the head of consulting for Integer Research. He is a regular speaker and industry events and has over 10 years of experience in APAC markets. Andrea is a graduate in Economics...
Andrea Valentini has 15 years of experience as a commodities market analysis. He is now leading Argus’ research and consulting in blue/green ammonia and carbon markets. Prior to joining Argus, he was the head of consulting for Integer Research. He is a regular speaker and industry events and has over 10 years of experience in APAC markets. Andrea is a graduate in Economics from the University of Padua in Italy and holds an MBA from McGill University, Canada.

Green Marine Fuels Focus Day speakers included:

Dr Farhana Anuar
Principal, Consulting – Hydrogen and Future Fuels, Argus
Based in our Singapore office, Dr Anuar is also responsible for Argus’ clean fuel project portfolio. Dr Anuar previously worked as a strategist in Singapore’s Prime Minister’s Office. She has also worked on the Singapore Green Plan, identifying system-level synergies and green technologies. Dr Anuar holds a doctoral degree in Bioengineering from the National University of ...
Based in our Singapore office, Dr Anuar is also responsible for Argus’ clean fuel project portfolio. Dr Anuar previously worked as a strategist in Singapore’s Prime Minister’s Office. She has also worked on the Singapore Green Plan, identifying system-level synergies and green technologies. Dr Anuar holds a doctoral degree in Bioengineering from the National University of Singapore and a postdoctorate from the Karolinska Institutet, Sweden.
Steve Esau
COO, SEA LNG
Before taking up his position at SEA\LNG, Steve was Head of Energy at managing consultants Xyntéo. He began his career as a geophysicist at BP, subsequently working in various business development, strategy and analysis roles in the company’s gas, power and renewables and energy trading businesses. Steve has also worked in the City of London, for the Intercontinental Excha...
Before taking up his position at SEA\LNG, Steve was Head of Energy at managing consultants Xyntéo. He began his career as a geophysicist at BP, subsequently working in various business development, strategy and analysis roles in the company’s gas, power and renewables and energy trading businesses. Steve has also worked in the City of London, for the Intercontinental Exchange, leading the development of financial instruments for the energy sector and for management consultants Afry Energy and Caminus Energy, where he specialised in providing advice on gas and power market policy, commodity trading and risk management and carbon capture and storage.
Alexander Feindt
Global Business Development Manager, Marine Four-Stroke, MAN Energy Solutions
Alexander has 10 years’ experience in the oil and gas industry in various business units. He was responsible for setting up the Shell Marine LNG business in the D-A-CH countries, and has been chairman of the German Maritime LNG advocacy platform. Since 2019 he has been the Global Business Development Manager at MAN Energy Solutions for the Medium Speed Marine (“Four-stroke...
Alexander has 10 years’ experience in the oil and gas industry in various business units. He was responsible for setting up the Shell Marine LNG business in the D-A-CH countries, and has been chairman of the German Maritime LNG advocacy platform. Since 2019 he has been the Global Business Development Manager at MAN Energy Solutions for the Medium Speed Marine (“Four-stroke”) business unit. There he manages external affairs and business development activities, and is responsible for maritime industry partnerships. His role is to evaluate trends, developments and requirements in alternative marine fuels/propulsion as well as unmanned shipping, and shaping those into products/services for the future. He also represents MAN Energy Solutions on various industry bodies, such as the Getting to Zero Coalition, Waterborne and the Hydrogen Council. He has a university background in Economics and Politics.
Tessa Major
VP Bunkering – Port Regulations & Market Development, Yara Clean Ammonia
Tessa holds master’s degrees in biology and marine and lacustrine sciences. She has worked in the maritime sector for over 10 years and has vast experience in sustainability-driven projects such as the development of alternative maritime fuels and sustainable industrialisation. Tessa has a proven track record in business development and commercial and strategic port develo...
Tessa holds master’s degrees in biology and marine and lacustrine sciences. She has worked in the maritime sector for over 10 years and has vast experience in sustainability-driven projects such as the development of alternative maritime fuels and sustainable industrialisation. Tessa has a proven track record in business development and commercial and strategic port development. As a Belgian, Tessa’s global expertise stems from working and living abroad — Brazil and Norway — and her involvement in international initiatives including as Vice-President of the International Association of Ports and Harbors. At Yara Clean Ammonia, Tessa is responsible for port relationships and regulations and business development activities across the value chain, to foster clean ammonia as a fuel for shipping.
Kaj Portin
General Manager Sustainable Fuels & Decarbonisation, Wärtsilä
Kaj has held different development and managerial positions in research and development at Wärtsilä since 1993. Since 2000, he has been working on the development of gas engines and alternative fuels. He is currently General Manager, Sustainable Fuels and Decarbonisation heading the new technology development related to gas engines, alternative fuels, and flexible engine o...
Kaj has held different development and managerial positions in research and development at Wärtsilä since 1993. Since 2000, he has been working on the development of gas engines and alternative fuels. He is currently General Manager, Sustainable Fuels and Decarbonisation heading the new technology development related to gas engines, alternative fuels, and flexible engine operation. He is a member of the Cimac working group for gas engines, a member of several expert groups within the EU, and involved in the standardisation process of LNG quality. Kaj has an MSc in electrical engineering from Helsinki University of Technology in Finland.
Laurent Ruhlmann
HESQ Director,Yara Clean Ammonia
Laurent started at Yara in 2001 as a process engineer, and then took on roles as a production engineer at the company’s nitric acid and technical ammonium nitrate plants, and project engineer in restructuration. Laurent moved to Trinidad in 2009 to focus on the ammonia production process, but then joined the corporate HESQ team in 2012 as process safety manager at the Yar...
Laurent started at Yara in 2001 as a process engineer, and then took on roles as a production engineer at the company’s nitric acid and technical ammonium nitrate plants, and project engineer in restructuration. Laurent moved to Trinidad in 2009 to focus on the ammonia production process, but then joined the corporate HESQ team in 2012 as process safety manager at the Yara production plants. In 2014, he opted for a two-year assignment in Colombia as a safety integration manager. Following this, he took the role of PSM director, developing PSM systems at Yara International. Laurent joined Yara Clean Ammonia last year as HESQ director, with his main roles being to promote ammonia safety through Yara’s expertise and to facilitate the company’s energy adoption strategy.
Ajay Singh
Managing Director, Global Energy and Executive Advisor, Mitsui OSK Lines
Ajay came to Mol following a 25-year career in the oil and gas industry, during which he delivered new projects and deals in the LNG, exploration and production, and downstream segments across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, west Africa and North America. During his time at Shell in 1995-2014, Ajay helped establish the company’s LNG business in India and its upstream busine...
Ajay came to Mol following a 25-year career in the oil and gas industry, during which he delivered new projects and deals in the LNG, exploration and production, and downstream segments across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, west Africa and North America. During his time at Shell in 1995-2014, Ajay helped establish the company’s LNG business in India and its upstream business in Iraq. He was a special advisor to the chairman and president of Japanese upstream firm Japex from 2014 to 2020. Ajay holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Walchand College of Engineering in India, an MBA from Manchester Business School, and he has taken part in the advanced management programme at Harvard Business School.
Sammy Six
Deputy Editor - Marine Fuels, Argus
Sammy has worked in energy for more than a decade, first as a market analyst with non-profit think tanks in the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia, then in the corporate sector as a pricing analyst in Singapore. Currently he is based in Dubai with Argus Media, reporting prices and developments in the marine fuel industry across Asia.
Sammy has worked in energy for more than a decade, first as a market analyst with non-profit think tanks in the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia, then in the corporate sector as a pricing analyst in Singapore. Currently he is based in Dubai with Argus Media, reporting prices and developments in the marine fuel industry across Asia.
Richard Freeman
Energy & Power, Marsh