SABIC AGRI NUTRIENTS, ARAMCO ship world’s first commercial ‎accredited low-carbon blue ammonia to South Korea

As first announced during the recent Saudi Green Initiative conference in Sharm Elsheikh, 50-kmt of blue ‎ammonia has been shipped from Saudi Arabia to South Korea, representing a new milestone in the ‎development of decarbonization solutions. ‎

Vessel Seasurfer, carrying 25 KMT of this independently certified low-carbon “cradle-to-gate” blue ammonia, ‎is expected to reach its destination between December 9 and 13, marking the world’s first commercial ‎shipment of its kind. This accomplishment, representing a remarkable milestone for a low-carbon alternative to ‎conventional grey ammonia, is part of a collaboration between SABIC Agri-Nutrients (SABIC AN) and Aramco, ‎spanning the entire value chain. Lotte Fine Chemical (LFC), which has a long-standing relationship with SABIC ‎AN, will receive the full-tank accredited as low-carbon “cradle to gate” blue ammonia.‎

Abdulrahman Shamsaddin, SABIC AN CEO, said: “This shipment is another milestone in our journey toward ‎carbon neutrality. We are proud to be a part of this pioneering solution, paving the way for further ‎decarbonization efforts. Looking to the future, we are constantly working on breakthrough solutions to ‎decarbonize our assets and deliver low-carbon solutions to our customers.”‎

Yong Suk Kim, LFC CEO, said: “We are delighted to enter this meaningful agreement with our long-term ‎supplier, SABIC Agri-Nutrients, to receive the world’s first certified blue ammonia cargo. Building on our shared ‎history, we are looking forward to moving forward together into a new era for ammonia. We believe that this ‎shipment of blue ammonia will help lay the foundations for a global supply chain.” ‎

Earlier this year, SABIC AN and Aramco received the world’s first independent certifications recognizing blue ‎ammonia and blue hydrogen production from TÜV Rheinland, a leading independent testing, inspection and ‎certification agency, based in Germany. The shipment of blue ammonia to South Korea will be the first to ‎capitalize on this major certification achievement. ‎

These developments are aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, which lays emphasis on low-carbon fuels, products, ‎solutions and clean energy. ‎

SABIC AN and Aramco are collaborating in the low-carbon hydrogen space and ammonia to develop solutions ‎to serve various applications in the energy, fertilizer, and chemicals sectors.‎