Who buys imported ammonia in South Africa?

Makers of nitric acid and ammonium nitrate for the mining explosives and fertiliser trades. Omnia is the largest published importer: its imported ammonia sits in an industry-shared facility at Richards Bay and is railed to Sasolburg. Other nitrate and phosphate producers buy imported or domestic ammonia according to price and availability.

Why does South Africa import ammonia when it makes its own?

Domestic ammonia is a co-product of coal-to-liquids operations and does not cover all nitric acid, explosives and fertiliser demand, and users want a second source. Imports through Richards Bay are that second source, which is why the volume moves from year to year: 146,200 t in 2024 and 182,700 t in 2025.

Which origins can replace Gulf ammonia?

Oman supplied 60% of the 2024 imports from Sohar and Salalah, outside the strait, and is the shortest haul. Indonesia supplied 10% in 2025. Algeria and Trinidad are the longer-haul options. Each offer names the producer and load port.

What does the terminal need from the ship?

A fully refrigerated gas carrier whose length, draft, manifold height and flange rating fit the berth, with cargo at minus 33 °C and inspection of purity, water and oil at load. The parcel is sized to the tank space confirmed by the terminal for the laycan.

Can CBIL also fix the ship?

Yes. Our chartering desk, LaycanDesk, prices refrigerated gas carriers for ammonia, so a CFR and an FOB figure can be shown side by side.

Southern Africa · South Africa

Anhydrous Ammonia Suppliers CFR Richards Bay, South Africa

Imported ammonia for nitric acid, mining explosives and fertiliser, railed inland from a shared terminal

South Africa declared 182,700 t of anhydrous ammonia imports in 2025 at a landed value of USD 68.7 million, about USD 376 per tonne, after 146,200 t in 2024. Saudi Arabia supplied 92,700 t in 2025 (51%), Qatar 68,300 t (37%) and Indonesia 19,100 t (10%); in 2024 Oman had supplied 60% and Trinidad 14%, which shows the terminal can take either haul. The Strait of Hormuz has been severely restricted since 28 February 2026: loadings inside the Gulf move irregularly and are confirmed cargo by cargo. The country makes ammonia from coal-derived gas at home, and imports cover what domestic output does not: feedstock for nitric acid and ammonium nitrate, which goes into mining explosives and limestone ammonium nitrate fertiliser. Imported product lands at a shared refrigerated terminal at Richards Bay and moves inland by rail; Omnia, the largest published importer, runs a fleet of 145 ammonia rail tankers to its nitric acid plants at Sasolburg and also draws on domestic supply. After transit collapsed Omnia cancelled the ammonia it had on order in the Middle East and bought from other origins, and ammonia values to local users more than doubled. Two ownership changes were announced in September 2026: a sale of the domestic producer's nitrates business to an explosives group, and a takeover offer for Omnia.

Ammonia ships at minus 33 °C in fully refrigerated gas carriers, in parcels sized to the tank space at Richards Bay on arrival, typically 10,000 to 25,000 t. The terminal and the rail tankers are major hazard installations under South African regulations, and the receiver, not the seller, holds those permissions. CBIL brokers anhydrous ammonia (99.5% min, water 0.2-0.5%, oil 5 ppm max) CFR Richards Bay from Sohar and Salalah in Oman, Indonesia, Arzew in Algeria and Point Lisas in Trinidad, with inspection at load and the producer named on the certificate of origin. A receiver that states its parcel size, laycan, tank space and LC-opening bank gets a firm answer; one without them gets a question first.

Need the ship as well? Our chartering desk prices LPG and ammonia gas carrier chartering on LaycanDesk.

The market in figures

Declared imports: 2025: 182,700 t, USD 68.7 million, USD 376/t · 2024: 146,200 t
Origins, 2025: Saudi Arabia 51% · Qatar 37% · Indonesia 10%
Origins, 2024: Oman 60% · Saudi Arabia 26% · Trinidad and Tobago 14%
Share from inside the Gulf: 88% in 2025 (about 13,000 t a month to replace)
Receiving point: Shared refrigerated terminal at Richards Bay; rail tankers inland to Sasolburg
End uses: Nitric acid and ammonium nitrate for mining explosives and LAN fertiliser

Landed values are the importing country's declared CIF, not CBIL prices.

Questions buyers ask

Who buys imported ammonia in South Africa?: Makers of nitric acid and ammonium nitrate for the mining explosives and fertiliser trades. Omnia is the largest published importer: its imported ammonia sits in an industry-shared facility at Richards Bay and is railed to Sasolburg. Other nitrate and phosphate producers buy imported or domestic ammonia according to price and availability.
Why does South Africa import ammonia when it makes its own?: Domestic ammonia is a co-product of coal-to-liquids operations and does not cover all nitric acid, explosives and fertiliser demand, and users want a second source. Imports through Richards Bay are that second source, which is why the volume moves from year to year: 146,200 t in 2024 and 182,700 t in 2025.
Which origins can replace Gulf ammonia?: Oman supplied 60% of the 2024 imports from Sohar and Salalah, outside the strait, and is the shortest haul. Indonesia supplied 10% in 2025. Algeria and Trinidad are the longer-haul options. Each offer names the producer and load port.
What does the terminal need from the ship?: A fully refrigerated gas carrier whose length, draft, manifold height and flange rating fit the berth, with cargo at minus 33 °C and inspection of purity, water and oil at load. The parcel is sized to the tank space confirmed by the terminal for the laycan.
Can CBIL also fix the ship?: Yes. Our chartering desk, LaycanDesk, prices refrigerated gas carriers for ammonia, so a CFR and an FOB figure can be shown side by side.