NH3 Clean Energy, Pilbara Ports Authority, and Oceania Marine Energy have agreed to develop low-emissions ammonia bunkering at Dampier Port to decarbonize iron ore shipping from Western Australia to Asia.

The initiative targets bulk carriers transporting Pilbara iron ore, with just 16 ammonia-fueled ships estimated to consume 600,000 tons per year of clean ammonia, equivalent to over 90% of NH3’s planned WAH2 project output. 

Pilbara Ports, the world’s biggest bulk export authority handling 750 million tons annually, will provide infrastructure and regulatory oversight. The partnership aims to launch ship-to-ship ammonia bunkering by 2030, capitalizing on new International Maritime Organization (IMO) emissions rules and 29 ammonia-capable bulk carriers already ordered globally.

Final investment decisions for the WAH2 project and port infrastructure are targeted by the end of 2026.