Yara Clean Ammonia and Cepsa have formed a strategic partnership to establish the first clean hydrogen maritime corridor between the ports of Algeciras and Rotterdam, connecting southern and northern Europe. The partnership aims to decarbonise European industry and maritime transport, and establish a credible and robust supply chain for clean energy transformation in Europe.
As part of the partnership, Yara Clean Ammonia will supply Cepsa with clean ammonia volumes, which will allow the energy company to get a head start in establishing the clean hydrogen corridor and lead the initiative to serve industrial and maritime customers in Rotterdam and Central Europe. The partnership incorporates Yara Clean Ammonia as the newest partner of the Andalusian Green Hydrogen Valley, which aims to accelerate the energy transition in heavy transport and ensure energy independence in Europe.
Cepsa will build a new green ammonia plant at its energy park in San Roque, Cádiz, near the port of Algeciras, with an annual production capacity of up to 750,000 tonnes to establish a safe, resilient, and cost-efficient supply chain for delivering clean ammonia to Cepsa’s industrial and maritime customers in Rotterdam and Central Europe. The partnership will enable Cepsa to deliver the first clean hydrogen molecules to its customers by using Yara Clean Ammonia’s global supply base and logistical footprint.
Clean ammonia is one of the most effective alternatives for decarbonising maritime transport. As of 2026, shipping companies are expected to expand the use of this sustainable fuel to reduce CO2 emissions by 100 percent. Both its production, combining clean hydrogen and nitrogen from the atmosphere, and its use as a fuel are carbon neutral. In addition, it is easier and more sustainable to transport ammonia than hydrogen as it can be transported at a higher temperature.
The partnership between Yara Clean Ammonia and Cepsa is in line with the European Commission’s Fit for 55 package, which includes “FuelEU Maritime,” a legislative initiative that aims to stimulate demand for sustainable alternative fuels in maritime transport to reduce greenhouse gas emission intensity by 2 percent in 2025, 6 percent in 2030, and 75 percent in 2050, compared to 2020 levels. The development and use of sustainable fuels contribute to several of the 2030 Agenda’s Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 7 (Affordable and clean energy), SDG 8 (Decent work and economic growth), SDG 12 (Responsible consumption and production), and SDG 13 (Climate action).
By 2050, clean hydrogen is expected to account for one third of the fuel used in global land transport, 60 percent of maritime transport and will be instrumental in storing energy from a 100 percent renewable electricity system. Yara Clean Ammonia aims to significantly strengthen its leading global position as the world’s largest ammonia distributor, unlocking the green and blue value chains, and driving the development of clean ammonia globally. The company operates the largest global ammonia network with 15 ships and access to 18 ammonia terminals and multiple ammonia production and consumption sites across the world, through Yara.
For more information visit www.yara.com
