International Fertilizer and Agriculture News - September 9

Vessel Traffic Through the Strait of Hormuz Falls to Three: Windward

After military exchanges between the United States and Iran intensified in the first half of this week, vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz fell to a multi-month low on Thursday. According to maritime security firm Windward, only three vessels transited the Strait on Thursday: two inbound vessels used the Iranian-controlled northern lane, while one outbound vessel used the US-protected southern lane. This was one-third of the previous day's traffic and around 2% of the pre-war benchmark of 135 vessels per day. Shipping data reviewed by Argus could not substantiate US Vice President JD Vance's claim that 15mn bbl of crude oil were exported through the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday with US support.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations center said that the US-protected southern lane along the coast of Oman remains the highest-risk route. Of the 24 reported munitions attacks since July 6, 21 occurred in this lane.
Windward said the United States has begun targeting Iranian state-owned tankers as direct retaliation for Iran's attacks on the tankers Senegal Prosperity and Seadel. The firm confirmed that two Iranian empty tankers were hit in the US strikes on September 1.

Japan Supports Coal-Based Decarbonization in Southeast Asia

At the 35th International Clean Coal Day Seminar, held in Tokyo on September 3, participants learned that Japan strongly supports "practical" decarbonization efforts in Southeast Asia while continuing to use coal.
Takashi Tajiri, director-general for international affairs at the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy under Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), said at the seminar that Japan would accelerate cooperation with Southeast Asian countries. The aim is to support countries in continuing to use coal while reducing carbon emissions, including through ammonia co-firing projects in Malaysia.
During trial operations at the Hekinan power plant, Japan achieved an ammonia-coal co-firing ratio of 20% and aims to increase the ratio to 50% in the future. Tajiri said Japan could use this technology to support Malaysia and other countries in the region.
Tajiri said that co-firing ammonia, biomass and other renewable fuels can reduce carbon emissions while maintaining coal use, making it a "practical" path for Japan and many Southeast Asian countries. He added that coal has a cost advantage and can help ensure a stable energy supply.
Paul Barua, head of strategy and sustainability at the Global Coal Future Alliance, said at the seminar that Japan should use coal-related technologies such as ammonia co-firing to help Southeast Asian countries balance energy security and decarbonization goals.
Yoshikazu Kobayashi, chief economist and head of research strategy and energy security at the Institute of Energy Economics, Japan (IEEJ), said in his speech that coal had proven to be a substitute for natural gas in many Asian countries amid the disruption caused by the near-shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz.