Trafigura claims bunkering advancement, with successful at-sea ammonia transfer

Commodities trader Trafigura reports it has completed its first ship-to-ship (STS) transfer of ammonia between two gas carriers in the Strait of Gibraltar, advancing the feasibility of bunkering the zero-carbon fuel.

The STS transfer, which took place last week in international waters close to the port of Ceuta, involved a cargo of 6,000 tonnes of ammonia (NH3) from the US. The cargo was transferred between Purus-owned 40,000-m³ gas carrier Green Power on time charter to Trafigura, and small gas carrier Gas Aegean. Malta-based International Fender Providers conducted the STS transfer.

While Spanish chemical company Fertiberia will use the cargo to produce fertiliser, Trafigura head of wet freight, Andrea Olivi, sees the STS transfer as an important step in demonstrating the viability of alternative fuels.

“Our first safe and efficient ship-to-ship transfer of ammonia supports our growing ammonia trading activity. Importantly, it demonstrates the feasibility of ammonia bunkering in the future as demand grows for the hydrogen-based low carbon fuels that will enable the shipping industry to decarbonise,” said Mr Olivi.

Purus is building a series of four ammonia-ready 45,000-m³ gas carriers at South Korea’s HD Hyundai Mipo Dockyard, with deliveries starting in 2025. Each vessel will have a two-stroke, Hyundai-MAN B&W 6G50ME-C9.6-HPSCR main engine, with a maximum continuous rating of 8,490 kW, and a service speed of about 15 knots.