Milestone Achievement: Trafigura and CF Industries Complete First Co-Loaded Ammonia and Propane Shipment from U.S. to Europe

Multinational commodity trading company Trafigura, in collaboration with ammonia producer CF Industries, has achieved a significant milestone by completing the “first-ever” co-loaded ammonia and propane shipment operation from the U.S. to Europe.

The operation took place in early January 2025 when the Green Power medium gas carrier (MGC) completed a single voyage from the U.S. to Europe loaded with ammonia from CF Industries and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG or propane) in separate tanks.

Ammonia was loaded onto the Green Power from CF Industries’ Donaldsonville, Louisiana, manufacturing complex, while LPG was loaded into separate tanks in Corpus Christi, Texas. The operation involved meticulous planning, including a review of regulations, permission from the U.S. Coast Guard, a detailed risk assessment, and coordination with various stakeholders.

Upon crossing the Atlantic Ocean, the LPG was discharged via a ship-to-ship (STS) operation in the Mediterranean for domestic heating use, while the ammonia was discharged at Tees Port for CF Fertilisers UK.

The co-loaded vessel project served as a demonstration of capabilities required for the efficient and economic transport of low-carbon ammonia to supply ports that may not necessitate a full vessel of ammonia.

Co-loading low-carbon ammonia with LPG presents a pathway to support the scale-up in the availability of low-emission fuels, making it a leading alternative fuel candidate for applications such as coal co-firing and the shipping industry’s transition from heavy fuel oil.

Patricio Norris, Global Head of Ammonia and LPG for Trafigura, highlighted the economic and environmental benefits of co-loading Ammonia and LPG in the same vessel, reducing emissions and improving efficiency for customers.

Bert Frost, Executive Vice President of Sales, Market Development and Supply Chain at CF Industries, emphasized the partnership’s role in preparing for the demand growth of low-carbon ammonia and the expected transition of the marine shipping industry to low-carbon ammonia as a fuel.

This milestone operation follows Trafigura’s successful ship-to-ship transfer of ammonia in July 2024 for CF Industries, showcasing the feasibility of ammonia bunkering as demand grows for hydrogen-based low-carbon fuels in the shipping industry’s decarbonization efforts.

CF Industries is also advancing a carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) project at its Donaldsonville facility to produce substantial volumes of low-carbon ammonia, with the project expected to start in 2025.

In its 2024 Sustainability Report, Trafigura reported a 31% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in its group-owned operations against an FY2020 baseline, with a mid-term target of a 50% reduction by FY2032. The company continues to engage in shipping decarbonization efforts and has ordered four medium gas carriers capable of using and carrying low carbon ammonia.