Trafigura and Yara International ASA have signed an MOU to collaborate on the development and promotion of the use of ammonia as a clean fuel in shipping and to explore possible opportunities to work together on certain green and blue ammonia fuel infrastructure and market opportunities.

Reducing shipping emissions is a vital component of the fight against global climate change, yet greenhouse gas emissions from the global maritime sector are increasing. The Fourth IMO Greenhouse Gas study, published in August 2020 predicts that emissions could increase by as much as 130% by 2050 compared with 2008 levels. To reverse this alarming trend the ships in use, the fuels that power them and the related infrastructure all need to change as the industry transitions to low or zero-carbon maritime fuels.

Both Yara and Trafigura have taken a number of steps to progress towards making the transition to a greener economy a reality. For the first time the two companies intend to collaborate on initiatives that will establish themselves in the clean ammonia value chain.

Under the MoU announced today, Trafigura and Yara intend to collaborate in the following areas:

• The supply of clean ammonia by Yara to Trafigura Group companies
• Exploration of joint R&D initiatives for clean ammonia application as a marine fuel
• Development of new clean ammonia assets including marine fuel infrastructure and market opportunities

 “There is a growing consensus that hydrogen-based fuels will ultimately be the shipping fuels of the future, but clear and comprehensive regulation is essential,” said Jose Maria Larocca, Executive Director and Co-Head of Oil Trading for Trafigura.