NH3 Clean Energy signs joint development agreement for low-emissions ammonia bunkering

The agreement seeks to position Western Australia as a global hub for maritime decarbonisation, particularly along the high-volume Pilbara-Asia iron ore corridor.

The non-binding JDA sets out an integrated scope of work and development timetable aimed at enabling final investment decisions for the WAH2 Project, associated bunker vessels, and port infrastructure by the end of 2026. If successful, the project would provide ammonia bunkering services to support the growing fleet of ammonia-capable bulk carriers. The partners intend to service vessels via ship-to-ship transfers from the Dampier Bulk Liquids Berth to anchorage.

Pilbara Ports Authority, the world’s largest bulk export port authority, handled over 750 million tonnes of commodities during the 2023–24 financial year. It is expected that ammonia-fuelled vessels calling at Dampier would play a critical role in supporting the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) recently announced Net Zero Framework. That framework mandates emissions limits and introduces a global carbon pricing mechanism for ships over 5,000 gross tonnes beginning in 2027.

Currently, approximately 300 bulk carriers export iron ore from the Pilbara to Asia. NH3 estimates that just 16 ammonia-fuelled bulk carriers bunkering exclusively at the Pilbara end of the corridor would consume around 600,000 tonnes per annum of clean ammonia—representing over 90 percent of the planned Phase 1 capacity of the WAH2 Project. Industry data shows that 29 ammonia-capable, dual-fuel bulk carriers are already on order for delivery prior to 2030.

Under the terms of the JDA, Pilbara Ports will oversee port operations and licensing, NH3 will supply clean ammonia produced at its WAH2 facility, and Oceania will act as bunker vessel owner and operator. Oceania, a privately held Australian firm, plans to deliver ammonia bunkering via dedicated vessels operating from the Port of Dampier.

NH3 Chairman Charles Whitfield described the agreement as a milestone for maritime emissions reduction. “This agreement sets a pathway for WA to become a global leader in the decarbonisation of maritime transport,” he said. “The scale of the Pilbara-Asia maritime corridor creates a globally significant opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and NH3 is extremely excited to join with Pilbara Ports Authority and Oceania to make this a reality.”

Pilbara Ports CEO Sam McSkimming added that the region’s role as a major export hub makes it a natural staging ground for clean fuel initiatives. “With approximately 4,000 vessel visits and more than 1,000 unique bulk carriers calling annually, the Pilbara is ideally placed to initiate the clean fuel transition,” he said.

Nick Bentley, managing director of Oceania Marine Energy, said the agreement lays the foundation for a large-scale bunkering operation. “Together with NH3 and Pilbara Ports Authority, we are laying the groundwork for an ammonia bunkering capability that will be ready to support the global transition to low-carbon shipping before 2030,” he said.

NH3’s CEO, Stephen Hall, is expected to brief investors on the initiative in a webinar scheduled for 13 June 2025.