Pilbara Ports has taken a step further towards development of a low-carbon ammonia bunkering hub (ship re-fuelling) in the Pilbara, including safe and efficient ammonia handling, by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Yara Pilbara.

The Yara Pilbara plant is one of the largest ammonia production facilities in the world, utilising world-class export infrastructure in the Port of Dampier.

The MOU advances the Pilbara Clean Fuel Bunkering Initiative through the two organisations agreeing to work collaboratively on government and stakeholder advocacy, developing a training program in safe ammonia handling, and in the planning of necessary fuelling infrastructure at the Ports of Dampier and Port of Port Hedand.

Pilbara Ports Chief Executive Officer Samuel McSkimming emphasised the importance of this new agreement.

“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,” Mr McSkimming said.

“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, ships do not generally bunker in the Pilbara, instead taking on heavy fuel oil elsewhere for their entire outward-bound and return voyages.

Yara Pilbara Chief Operating Officer Laurent Trost said the company is committed to working with Pilbara Ports on decarbonising the shipping routes linking the Pilbara to established trading partners and emerging markets.

“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,” Mr Trost said.

“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 Pilbara Ports and Yara Pilbara MOU marks another milestone in the Pilbara Clean Fuel Bunkering Hub strategic roadmap which involves significant industry collaboration.

Launched last year, the Pilbara Clean Fuel Bunkering Hub outlines a strategic approach to establish a clean fuel bunkering hub in the region, enabling the use of alternative fuels such as ammonia. One successful bunkering trial has already taken place and another is set to occur in the Port of Port Hedland later this year.

The first of its type in Australia, the bunkering hub would support decarbonisation efforts across the shipping, resource and maritime sectors, in line with the State Government’s 2050 emissions reduction target.

Pilbara Ports goal is for 100 per cent of bulk export vessels departing the Pilbara to be powered by low carbon fuels, reinforcing its pivotal role in Australia’s iron ore trade and commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

Source: Pilbara Ports