Japan, Russia join forces on ammonia, hydrogen

Spanish Market: Fertilizers, Hydrogen
02/09/21

Japan and Russia are set to work together to explore and develop projects on ammonia and hydrogen, using carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) technologies to accelerate decarbonisation efforts.

Japan's trade and industry ministry (Meti) and Russia's Novatek have agreed to provide mutual support for projects pertaining to the production and marketing of ammonia and hydrogen, as well as the implementation of CCUS technologies in Japan and Russia. The parties signed the deal today in the presence of Meti minister Hiroshi Kajiyama and Russian energy minister Nikolai Shulginov, as part of the Eastern Economic Forum held in Vladivostok, Russia.

Meti and Novatek will exchange information and cooperate in research efforts, while implementing pilot projects to support decarbonisation. They will also provide state support to develop policies for carbon neutrality. Novatek sees the bilateral cooperation for climate projects helping support its strategy to further increase LNG production, while reducing its carbon footprint.

Separately, state-controlled Japan Bank for International Co-operation (JBIC) signed a strategic cooperation deal with Novatek today to push ahead with energy transition efforts. JBIC aims to create opportunities for Japanese companies to invest in greener projects such as hydrogen, ammonia, carbon capture and storage (CCS), CCUS, carbon recycling and renewables, while still ensuring stable energy supplies.

By Motoko Hasegawa

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20/12/24

Viewpoint: EU at crossroad on H2 rules, competitiveness

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US Congress passes waterways bill

19/12/24

US Congress passes waterways bill

Houston, 19 December (Argus) — The US Senate has passed a bipartisan waterways infrastructure bill, providing a framework for further investment in the country's waterways system. The waterways bill, also known as the Water Resources and Development Act (WRDA), was approved by the Senate in a 97-1 vote on 18 December after clearing the US House of Representatives on 10 December. The WRDA's next stop is the desk of President Joe Biden, who is expected to sign the bill. The WRDA has been passed every two years, authorizing the US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to undertake waterways infrastructure and navigation projects. Funding for individual projects must still be approved by Congress. Several agriculture-based groups voiced their support for the bill, saying it will improve transit for agricultural products on US waterways. The bill also shifts the funding of waterways projects to 75pc from the federal government and 25pc from the Inland Waterways Trust Fund instead of the previous 65-35pc split. "Increasing the general fund portion of the cost-share structure will promote much needed investment for inland navigation projects, as well as provide confidence to the industry that much needed maintenance and modernization of our inland waterway system will happen," Fertilizer Institute president Corey Rosenbusch said. The bill includes a provision to assist with the damaged Wilson Lock along the Tennessee River in Alabama. By Meghan Yoyotte Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

USDA awards more funding to increase fertilizer output

19/12/24

USDA awards more funding to increase fertilizer output

Houston, 19 December (Argus) — The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) awarded over $100mn this week across nine states to increase domestic fertilizer production as the effort to make farmer affordability more favorable continues. About $116mn will be invested through the USDA's Fertilizer Production Expansion Program (FPEP) to help eight facilities expand output in California, Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Oklahoma and Wisconsin. Recipients include the Michigan Potash Company, where the construction of a new facility should yield 400,000 metric tonnes (t) annually of high-grade potash, and Farmers Cooperative Association, where funding will expand its existing dry fertilizer facility with additional storage and processing capacity. "When we invest in domestic supply chains, we drive down input costs and increase options for farmers," USDA secretary Tom Vilsack said. Through the FPEP, the USDA has invested $517mn in 76 fertilizer production facilities across 34 states and Puerto Rico. President Joe Biden's administration committed up to $900mn in the program through the Commodity Credit Corporation, which is expected to support long-term investments by strengthening supply chains. Higher US fertilizer prices throughout this year deterred fall demand as lower crop prices forced farmers to sell more of a crop to afford nutrients. The last USDA FPEP funding announcement was in August , when $35mn was granted to boost seven domestic production projects. By Taylor Zavala Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Strikes at Australian commodity ports to continue

19/12/24

Strikes at Australian commodity ports to continue

Sydney, 19 December (Argus) — Workers at major commodity ports across Australia will strike next week, in response to stalling negotiations with port operators. Queensland In northern Queensland, unions representing almost 200 workers have notified the Gladstone Ports (GPC) that they plan to launch work stoppages at the LNG and coal hub next week, a source told Argus. The strike actions follow an earlier day-long work stoppage involving over 100 workers at the port that began earlier this week. The dispute between GPC and its workers is centred around wage and rostering proposals. GPC and unions representing its workers have not scheduled any further bargaining meetings, multiple sources have told Argus . Gladstone's ship queue has exceeded 30 ships multiple times since work stoppages began on 17 December. This compared with a queue of 48 ships in December 2023, after Cyclone Jasper forced three other north Queensland ports to turn vessels away for four days. To the south of Gladstone, 100 workers at the Qube-operated Port of Brisbane will also stop working between 23-27 December, according to maritime logistics firm GAC. The stoppage announcement follows a day-long strike at multiple Qube ports , which began on 16 December. Before the strike began, a Qube representative warned that strikes at its ports would "inevitably [cause] disruption to supply chains for key commodities like fertiliser, grain, and steel." The Port of Brisbane is a major oil and meat port. New South Wales Along Australia's eastern coast, workers at Qube's major coal, grain, and fertiliser port in Port Kembla are planning to strike for a longer period of time than their colleagues in other parts of the country. GAC has reported that workers will launch 13 rolling work stoppages at the port between 20 December and 3 January. There are 141 members of the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU) participated in a strike authorisation vote at the site in early September, and have been engaged in industrial actions since then. Port Kembla also faced a day-long work stoppage earlier this week. Northern Territory Union members in Darwin are planning to not work for 1½ day beginning on 23 December. Like the Port of Brisbane, Darwin tends to handle livestock and oil products. But only 37 workers were eligible to participate in a successful mid-September union ballot authorising work stoppages at the port. By Avinash Govind Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

US Army Corps proposes new Illinois River lock

18/12/24

US Army Corps proposes new Illinois River lock

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