NH3 Clean Energy (NH3) and Oceania Marine Energy (Oceania) have signed a memorandum of understanding with Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) regarding the development of clean ammonia bunkering operations in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.
The MoU aims to promote collaboration on the Pilbara Clean Fuels Bunkering Hub initiative, which is Australia’s first ammonia bunkering concept announced by the Pilbara Ports Authority in June 2025. MOL will be the first ocean-going shipping company to participate in this initiative.
The Pilbara region of Western Australia is home to the world’s largest iron ore export port and serves as a major port of call for Capesize bulkers. The Pilbara Ports Authority has entered into a joint development agreement with NH3, which will supply blue ammonia, and Oceania, which will operate the bunkering business, to realise low-carbon ammonia bunkering in the region. Their goal is to commence bunkering operations for Capesize bulkers at the ports of Dampier and Port Hedland by 2030.
The MoU aims to collaborate on the transition of iron ore carriers in the Pilbara region to ammonia fuel and the realisation of HH£’s flagship WAH2 project. The partnership will jointly propose solutions to Western Australian iron ore suppliers and work to address issues such as safety in ammonia bunkering operations.
MOL will jointly own three ammonia dual-fuel Capesize bulkers with Belgium-based CMB.Tech, which are scheduled to be delivered by China State Shipbuilding Corporation’s Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding between 2026 and 2027. These vessels will be chartered by MOL. MOL is looking to establish a fleet of ammonia duel-fuelled capesize bulk carriers on the West Australia to East Asia trade route and ensure safe ammonia bunkering operations and consider the procurement of ammonia. As an operator of ammonia dual-fuel vessels, MOL will work for this project to advance considerations regarding safety assurance and ammonia procurement in the Pilbara region.
MOL Managing Executive Officer Kazuhiro Takahashi said: “We are honoured to sign this MoU with NH3 and Oceania today, which will be a vital hub for our ammonia dual-fuelled capesize bulkers scheduled to commence operations from 2026. This collaboration marks an important milestone in our efforts to establish a safe and reliable ammonia bunkering operation in the Pilbara region. By working closely with our partners, we look forward to building a robust framework for safe ammonia bunkering and advancing sustainable shipping together.”
NH3 Chairman Charles Whitfield added: “We are delighted to have this agreement with MOL that helps to take the clean ammonia bunkering business another step closer to reality. This new agreement reinforces the growing momentum behind the shift to low-emission maritime fuels and builds on the existing Joint Development Agreement between NH3, Pilbara Ports, and Oceania Marine to establish an ammonia hub in the Pilbara by 2030. We sincerely appreciate Premier Cook and his team’s continued support in helping to establish this emerging clean energy industry – paving the way for a more sustainable future for our mining sector and energy exports.”
Oceania MD Nick Bentley said: “Oceania’s collaboration with MOL and NH3 Clean Energy shows how partnerships across the energy and shipping sectors can deliver real emission reduction outcomes for Australia’s iron ore exporters and shipping industry. By combining NH3’s clean ammonia production capacity, Pilbara Ports’ infrastructure, Oceania’s bunker services and MOL’s pioneering dual-fuel fleet, we are creating an integrated end-to-end marine fuel solution that enables our customers to meet the IMO’s decarbonisation targets.”
Image: Rendering of ammonia bunkering vessel to be ordered by Oceania (source: MOL)
