Exploring the potential of ammonia export

The MoU will facilitate the loading and export of clean ammonia from the WAH2 Project and it will help solidify Australia’s role as a leader in clean energy exports.

“Pilbara Ports have demonstrated their support and enthusiasm for becoming a key hub for the handling of clean ammonia for the international market and marine fuel,” said Charles Whitfield, chairman, HN3.

”The tempo of achieving milestones and development of the project will continue to increase as we drive for FID in H1 2026.”

Working partnership

Under the MoU, NH3 and Pilbara Ports will collaborate over the next 12 months to establish operational frameworks for ammonia fuel export. The initial production phase will see 600,000 TPA of clean ammonia shipped via the Port of Dampier Bulk Liquids Berth.

A dedicated pipeline will transport ammonia from the WAH2 Plant to the Port of Dampier for ship loading. 

The ammonia would be loaded onto ships at the existing Port of Dampier Bulk Liquids Berth.

These ships would either be gas carriers to transport the clean ammonia to overseas customers, or the ammonia bunkering vessel that is being proposed under NH3’s MoU with Oceania Marine Energy.

The bunkering vessel would supply clean ammonia as fuel to bulk carriers that are used to export iron ore from the Pilbara – helping to decarbonise Australia’s iron ore exports and establish Dampier as a clean fuel bunkering hub.

The WAH2 Project is NH3’s flagship project to supply low-emissions ammonia to the decarbonising powerhouse economies of the Asia Pacific, including Japan and South Korea, as well as being a source of decarbonised bunker fuel for powering vessels carrying iron ore from Australia to Asia.