Canadian fertilizer giant Nutrien Ltd. has begun a controlled shutdown of its nitrogen operations at the Point Lisas Industrial Estate in Trinidad, citing port access restrictions imposed by the National Energy Corp. (NEC) and an unreliable natural gas supply.
In an internal note to employees, reported by Reuters, the company said, “NEC has now confirmed its intent to restrict Nutrien’s access to the port. This action leaves us with no choice but to begin a controlled temporary shutdown of operations effective October 23.”
The move comes amid a standoff between producers of methanol and ammonia and Trinidad and Tobago’s National Gas Company (NGC) over steep port fee hikes. According to industry sources, the NEC is seeking to raise port charges by up to 200% and apply the increases retroactively to 2020.
Trinidad’s Energy Minister confirmed that the Nutrien shutdown was related to the port access issue, adding that discussions were ongoing between the government, state-owned companies, and port users to resolve the impasse.
The dispute threatens broader disruptions in Trinidad’s vital petrochemical sector, which has already been weakened by natural gas curtailments. Industry insiders warn that more shutdowns could follow if companies, including Methanex, Proman, Yara, and Koch’s Point Lisas Nitrogen, refuse to pay the new charges.
Trinidad ranks as the second-largest exporter of ammonia to the United States—supplying about 37% of U.S. imports in 2024—and is also a leading global exporter of methanol and urea. However, the industry has been under strain due to shrinking gas supplies and uncertainty over contract renewals.
Adding to the challenges, the U.S. government recently imposed a 10% tariff on products from Trinidad, prompting some producers, such as Proman, to divert exports to European markets.
Nutrien’s shutdown underscores growing instability in one of the world’s most significant petrochemical hubs and raises concerns about the future of Trinidad’s energy-driven economy.
