Pilbara ammonia bunkering hub progresses

The memorandum of agreement will support the development of infrastructure and safety frameworks needed for ammonia bunkering at the Ports of Dampier and Port Hedland. The initiative forms part of the Pilbara Clean Fuel Bunkering Hub roadmap aimed at enabling the maritime sector to adopt alternative fuels.

“We’re pleased to work alongside Yara Pilbara to promote the production of clean marine fuels in the Pilbara, and on ensuring WA plays a leading role in the global transition to low-emission shipping,” said Pilbara Ports chief executive Samuel McSkimming.

“The green iron corridor between the Pilbara and East Asia has the scale, stable demand, port infrastructure and risk management experience to support the significant investment that maritime decarbonisation requires.”

The Yara Pilbara plant, located near the Port of Dampier, is one of the largest ammonia production facilities in the world and already uses established export infrastructure at the port.

READ MORE: Pilbara to pioneer ammonia bunkering

Under the agreement, Pilbara Ports and Yara Pilbara will develop a training program for safe ammonia handling and plan the infrastructure required to support ammonia fuelling operations.

Currently, ships operating in the region typically do not refuel in the Pilbara, instead taking on heavy fuel oil at other ports for their outbound and return voyages.

“The vision of the Pilbara as a bunkering hub offers great promise and we are excited to help make it happen,” said Yara Pilbara chief operating officer Laurent Trost.

“Our operations represent Australia’s largest ammonia plant, and we are part of a global company leading the application of low-carbon ammonia.”

One ammonia bunkering trial has already been completed in the region, with another planned at Port Hedland later this year.