Pilbara Ports, Yara partner on low-carbon ammonia hub

Pilbara Ports has taken a major step towards establishing a low-carbon ammonia bunkering hub in the Pilbara, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Yara Pilbara to advance safe and efficient ammonia handling for shipping.

The Yara Pilbara facility, one of the world’s largest ammonia plants, benefits from export infrastructure at the Port of Dampier.

Under the MoU, the two organisations will collaborate on stakeholder and government advocacy, develop a training programme in safe ammonia handling, and plan the fuelling infrastructure at the Ports of Dampier and Port Hedland as part of the Pilbara Clean Fuel Bunkering Initiative.

Pilbara Ports CEO, Samuel McSkimming, said: “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.

“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, while the Pilbara has the renewable energy resources, carbon capture and storage potential, and ammonia-based industry to lead in green fuel production.”

Currently, vessels typically bunker elsewhere using heavy fuel oil for the entire outbound and return voyages.

Yara Pilbara COO, Laurent Trost, added: “Our operations represent Australia’s largest ammonia plant, we are an established producer in the region and part of a parent company that is a global leader in the application of low-carbon ammonia. The vision of the Pilbara as a bunkering hub offers great promise and we are excited to be part of the push to make it happen.”

The MoU marks a milestone in the Pilbara Clean Fuel Bunkering Hub roadmap, which includes industry collaboration and the introduction of alternative fuels such as ammonia.

One successful trial has already been completed, with another scheduled at Port Hedland later this year.

Pilbara Ports aims for 100 per cent of bulk export vessels leaving the region to be powered by low-carbon fuels, supporting decarbonisation across shipping, resources, and maritime sectors, and aligning with Western Australia’s 2050 net-zero emissions target.

In January, Pilbara Ports awarded a contract for the design and construction of the Dampier Link Bridge, which forms part of the Dampier Cargo Wharf Projects and will deliver a multi-user facility that expands the service capability of the Port of Dampier.