Thyssenkrupp Steel to launch H2 tender this quarter

Spanish Market: Hydrogen, Metals
08/01/24

Germany's Thyssenkrupp Steel is planning to launch a tender for the supply of renewable and low-carbon hydrogen this quarter.

The company published an initial notification regarding the tender plans last month and the process could be launched by early February, Thyssenkrupp Steel's head of hydrogen and green energy Henning Weege told Argus.

The hydrogen will be used to help decarbonise operations at the steelmaker's site in Duisburg, west Germany, where Thyssenkrupp Steel plans to replace a blast furnace with a direct reduced iron plant — for which the German government has earmarked €2bn of support through public funds.

According to the initial tender notification, the steelmaker is looking to contract 104,000t of supply for 2028, equivalent to around 4.1TWh based on hydrogen's higher heating value of 39.39 kWh/kg. This is to increase to 143,000 t/yr for 2029-35 and 151,000 t/yr for 2036-37.

Thyssenkrupp Steel is looking to ink supply contracts for up to 10 years and is open to receive hydrogen made from renewable power as well as from natural gas with carbon capture and utilisation or storage (CCUS).

A large share of the government support to Thyssenkrupp Steel, namely €1.45bn ($1.59bn), is a "conditional payment" that will cover extra costs for buying renewable hydrogen rather than supply made from gas with CCUS. But at least initially, the steelmaker will have to also look at gas-based hydrogen with CCUS, Weege said. This is partly because of the limited quantities of renewable hydrogen expected to be available by the end of this decade, while gas-based hydrogen would also provide a more steady baseload supply. That said, the share of renewable hydrogen could increase steadily in the 2030s as more becomes available.

Hydrogen could be provided by domestic suppliers and from abroad and will have to be delivered via pipeline to Duisburg. Thyssenkrupp Steel is "positive" that a core network linking Germany with the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark could be operational by the late 2020s, Weege said. This could provide access to supply delivered via ship to ports in neighbouring countries, including as ammonia, which would then need to be cracked back into hydrogen. That said, while several cracking facilities are planned in northwest Europe, it remains to be seen how much capacity will be available by the end of the decade.

By Stefan Krumpelmann

NW Europe direct reduced iron costs $/t

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11/04/25

Q&A: IMO GHG scheme in EU ETS could be 'challenging'

London, 11 April (Argus) — Delegates have approved the global greenhouse gas (GHG) pricing mechanism proposal at the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) 83rd Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) meeting. Argus Media spoke to ministerial adviser and Finland's head representative at the IMO delegation talks, Anita Irmeli, on the sidelines of the London MEPC meeting. What is your initial reaction to the text? We are happy and satisfied about the content of the agreed text, so far. But we need to be careful. This week, all member states were able to vote. But in October, when adaption will take place, only those states which are parties to Marpol Annex VI will be able to vote if indeed a vote is called for, and that changes the situation a little bit. Here when we were voting, a minority was enough — 40 votes. But if or when we vote in October, then we need two thirds of those party to Marpol Annex VI to be in favour of the text. Will enthusiasm for the decision today remain by October? I'm pretty sure it will. But you never know what will happen between now and and the next six months. What is the effect of the decision on FuelEU Maritime and the EU ETS? Both FuelEU Maritime and the EU ETS have a review clause. This review clause states that if we are ambitious enough at the IMO, then the EU can review or amend the regulation. So of course, it is very important that we first consider if the approved Marpol amendments are ambitious enough to meet EU standards. Only after that evaluation, which won't be until well after October, can we consider these possible changes. Do you think the EU will be able to adopt these the text as it stands today? My personal view is that we can perhaps incorporate this text under FuelEU Maritime, but it may be more challenging for the EU ETS, where shipping is now included. What was the impact of US President Donald Trump's letter on the proceedings? EU states were not impacted, but it's difficult to say what the impact was on other states. By Madeleine Jenkins Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

IMO approves two-tier GHG pricing mechanism

11/04/25

IMO approves two-tier GHG pricing mechanism

London, 11 April (Argus) — Delegates have approved the global greenhouse gas (GHG) pricing mechanism proposal at the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) 83rd Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) meeting, pending an adoption vote at the next MEPC in October. The proposal passed by a majority vote, with 63 nations in favor including EU states, the UK, China and India, and 16 members opposed, including Mideast Gulf states, Russia, and Venezuela. The US was absent from the MEPC 83 meeting, and 24 member states abstained. The proposal was accompanied by an amendment to implement the regulation, which was approved for circulation ahead of an anticipated adoption at the October MEPC. Approval was not unanimous, which is rare. If adoption is approved in October at a vote that will require a two-thirds majority, the maritime industry will become the first transport sector to implement internationally mandated targets to reduce GHG emissions. The text says ships must initially reduce their fuel intensity by a "base target" of 4pc in 2028 ( see table ) against 93.3 gCO2e/MJ, the latter representing the average GHG fuel intensity value of international shipping in 2008. This gradually tightens to 30pc by 2035. The text defines a "direct compliance target", that starts at 17pc for 2028 and grows to 43pc by 2035. The pricing mechanism establishes a levy for excessive emissions at $380 per tonne of CO2 equivalent (tCO2e) for ships compliant with the minimum 'base' target, called Tier 2. For ships in Tier 1 — those compliant with the base target but that still have emission levels higher than the direct compliance target — the price was set at $100/tCO2e. Over-compliant vessels will receive 'surplus units' equal to their positive compliance balance, expressed in tCO2e, valid for two years after emission. Ships then will be able to use the surplus units in the following reporting periods; transfer to other vessels as a credit; or voluntarily cancel as a mitigation contribution. IMO secretary general Arsenio Dominguez said while it would have been more preferable to have a unanimous outcome, this outcome is a good result nonetheless. "We work on consensus, not unanimity," he said. "We demonstrated that we will continue to work as an organization despite the concerns." Looking at the MEPC session in October, Dominguez said: "Different member states have different positions, and there is time for us to remain in the process and address those concerns, including those that were against and those that were expecting more." Dominguez said the regulation is set to come into force in 2027, with first revenues collected in 2028 of an estimated $11bn-13bn. Dominguez also said there is a clause within the regulation that ensures a review at least every five years. By Hussein Al-Khalisy, Natália Coelho, and Gabriel Tassi Lara IMO GHG reduction targets Year Base Target Direct Compliance Target 2028 4% 17% 2029 6% 19% 2030 8% 21% 2031 12% 25% 2032 17% 30% 2033 21% 34% 2034 26% 39% 2035 30% 43% Source: IMO Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

US consumer sentiment 2nd lowest on record: Survey

11/04/25

US consumer sentiment 2nd lowest on record: Survey

Houston, 11 April (Argus) — US consumer sentiment fell for a fourth straight month in April, reaching lower levels than during the Great Recession in 2008, as inflation expectations surged to four-decade highs. The preliminary consumer sentiment gauge fell to 50.8 in April, below the 55.3 end-of-month level it reached in November 2008 during the start of the Great Recession, according to the University of Michigan's preliminary reading for April. The only lower reading in records going back to 1952 was in mid-2022 during Covid-19. Year-ahead inflation expectations surged to 6.7pc this month, the highest reading since 1981, from 5pc last month. Sentiment fell by 10.9pc from 57 in March and has lost more than 30pc since December 2024 "... amid growing worries about trade war developments that have oscillated over the course of the year." "Consumers report multiple warning signs that raise the risk of recession: expectations for business conditions, personal finances, incomes, inflation, and labor markets all continued to deteriorate," the survey said. The index of current economic conditions fell to 56.5 in April from 63.8 the prior month. The index of consumer expectations fell to 47.2 this month from 52.6 in March. The proportion of consumers who expect unemployment to rise in the year ahead rose for a fifth month and is more than double the November 2024 result. Interviews for the report were done between 25 March and 8 April, ending prior to the 9 April partial reversal of US tariffs. By Bob Willis Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Oil and gas lobby calls H2 'core competency,' hails 45v

10/04/25

Oil and gas lobby calls H2 'core competency,' hails 45v

Houston, 10 April (Argus) — The oil and gas industry views hydrogen production as a "core competency" and sees 45v tax credits driving US exports and innovation, according to the American Petroleum Institute (API). "We really see this, especially from the oil and gas perspective, as a core competency," said Rachel Fox, API director of policy and strategy, on a webinar Thursday hosted by ConservAmerica. "We have such an advantageous opportunity with this credit," said Fox. "When we're talking about the export opportunity, we really do hold the cards in terms of producing hydrogen at the lowest cost anywhere in the world." The 45V incentive has become a crucible in President Donald Trump's agenda to promote fossil fuels. A broad-based coalition of groups sometimes at odds with one another has coalesced in favor of 45V noting that it promotes manufacturing jobs across rural America and sets up US energy companies to dominate growing global demand for cleaner burning fuels. Nonetheless, ConservAmerica described such energy tax incentives as being "squarely in the crosshairs" as legislators gear up for budget negotiations in which the administration is looking to slash government spending to offset a promised corporate tax cut. By tying a tiered scale of incentives to carbon intensity, 45V has spurred oil and gas companies to develop technologies and practices that curb emissions, said Fox. "There's a lot of incentive to try to hit that $3 mark by getting your hydrogen produced at a really low carbon-intensity limit and so it's galvanized a ton of innovation and a ton of new ideas on how that can be done throughout the natural gas system," said Fox. Most of those ideas revolve around lowering the methane intensity of natural gas production or sourcing low-methane intensity natural gas, such as from biowaste, said Fox. Some environmental advocates are skeptical that emissions from natural-gas based hydrogen production can be driven low enough to qualify for the highest $3/kg tier with existing technology and that most oil and gas companies will instead have to use less lucrative 45Q credits that apply to carbon capture and storage technology (CCS). However, at least one major energy company, ExxonMobil, has said it is seeking 45V to advance its massive natural-gas based hydrogen and ammonia project in Baytown, Texas. By Jasmina Kelemen Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

US absence unlikely to derail IMO talks

10/04/25

US absence unlikely to derail IMO talks

London, 10 April (Argus) — The US delegation's absence from the 83rd International Maritime Organisation's (IMO) Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) meeting is unlikely to derail the outcome of discussions on a greenhouse gas (GHG) economic pricing mechanism, market participants told Argus . This comes after the US sent a statement to foreign embassies of countries partaking in the IMO GHG economic pricing mechanism talks, confirming the US' absence from the negotiations. The statement says: "President Trump has made it clear that the US will not accept any international environmental agreement that unduly or unfairly burdens the US or the interests of the American people," according to a document seen by Argus . It adds: "Should such a blatantly unfair measure go forward, our government will consider reciprocal measures so as to offset any fees charged to US ships and compensate the American people for any other economic harm from any adopted GHG emissions measures". The statement ends: "The US will engage with partners on energy and investment issues of common interest. We stand ready to work with you to advance our shared commitment to energy security and economic growth". "The US will not be engaging in negotiations at the IMO's 83rd Marine Environment Protection Committee. Consistent with President Trump's executive orders on international environmental agreements and on energy dominance, it is the administration's policy to put the interests of the US and the American people first in the development and negotiation of any international agreements", the US State Department told Argus . IMO member countries are voting this week on the economic pricing mechanism for marine GHG emissions, for which the structure is expected to be agreed by 11 April, according to IMO secretary-general Arsenio Dominguez. Even if the US does not engage in the GHG talks, it cannot unilaterally block decisions at the IMO, a spokesperson told Argus . Many of the GHG measures remain under discussion, with final approvals from the working group expected by 11 April. "The US doesn't have a huge share of the global ocean-going fleet, so their absence or opposition probably won't change the broader [IMO members] consensus", a Chile-based ship owner told Argus . US imposing "reciprocal" costs on foreign ships calling at US ports will almost certainly get passed on to [US] consumers, which could lead to higher prices for goods in the US, the owner said. If the measures are ratified by IMO member nations, US-flagged ships will probably not adhere to IMO's regulations when they call into ports of member countries, a Singapore-based shipbroker said. "We are not expecting any impacting on Asia-Pacific region yet, and it's subject to what is agreed at the MEPC and how levies are calculated," the shipbroker added. Despite not having veto power, the US remains the largest financial contributor to the UN, a Greece-based shipowner told Argus . If international shipbuilding credit lines begin to tighten under US influence, other countries may align with Washington's stance, it added. The IMO has 176 member countries. Greece, China and Japan account for the largest shares of the global ocean-going fleet. During the ongoing session, member states have approved interim guidance on the carriage of biofuel blends. The guidance allows conventional bunker ships certified for carriage of oil fuels under Marpol Annex I to transport blends of not more than 30pc by volume of biofuel , as long as all residues or tank washings are discharged ashore, unless the oil discharge monitoring equipment is approved for the biofuel blends being shipped. By Hussein Al-Khalisy, Madeleine Jenkins, Stefka Wechsler, Mahua Mitra, Natália Coelho, and Gabriel Tassi Lara Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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