#Australia #Mitsui O.S.K. Lines #Pilbara #NH3 Clean Energy #Oceania Marine Energy

MOL's Revolutionary Ammonia Bunkering Initiative in Pilbara, Australia

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), under the leadership of President Takeshi Hashimoto, has proudly announced its participation in a groundbreaking project aimed at developing a clean ammonia bunkering hub in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. This initiative is notable as it marks the first involvement by an overseas shipping company in such a venture. The partnership was formalized through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed with NH3 Clean Energy Limited (NH3) and Oceania Marine Energy, aimed at advancing the clean ammonia bunkering business in line with the Pilbara Clean Fuel Bunkering Hub concept announced by the Pilbara Ports Authority in June this year.

In a ceremonial signing event, significant figures from each organization were present, including NH3 Chairman Charles Whitfield, NH3 CEO Stephen Hall, MOL Executive Officer Kazuhiro Takahashi, Western Australia Premier Roger Cook, and Oceania Managing Director Nick Bentley.

The Pilbara region is renowned for hosting the world’s largest iron ore export port and serves as a crucial anchorage for Cape-sized bulk carriers. The Pilbara Ports Authority has commended the joint development contract with NH3 and Oceania, which aims to facilitate low-carbon ammonia bunkering by launching operations at the Dampier and Port Hedland ports by 2030.

The memorandum underscores the three parties' commitment to transition iron ore bulk carriers in Pilbara to ammonia fuel and explore the WAH2 project. This will involve collaborative proposals to local iron ore suppliers and further investigations into the safety elements of ammonia bunkering.

As part of this initiative, MOL is set to acquire three ammonia dual-fuel Cape-sized bulk carriers, which are scheduled for completion between 2026 and 2027 from Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding Heavy Industry Co., Ltd., a notable Chinese shipbuilder. MOL will be co-owning these vessels in partnership with CMB.TECH NV from Belgium and will engage them for regular chartering. The ammonia dual-fuel vessels are expected to operate along the iron ore transportation routes linking Western Australia and East Asia, where MOL is also exploring safe and effective ammonia bunkering operations and procurement.

Kazuhiro Takahashi, MOL Executive Officer, remarked, “We are very honored to have signed this MOU with NH3 and Oceania. The Pilbara region will play a crucial role for our ammonia dual-fuel Cape-sized bulk carriers, which are scheduled to begin commercial operations in 2026. This partnership marks a significant step towards establishing a reliable and safe ammonia bunkering business in Pilbara. We will work closely with our partners to develop a secure ammonia bunkering framework and contribute to sustainable shipping.”

Charles Whitfield, Chairman of NH3, expressed his enthusiasm about the agreement, stating, “We are excited about this agreement with Mitsui O.S.K. Lines that brings us closer to realizing clean ammonia bunkering. This collaboration reinforces the momentum behind the transition to low-carbon fuels with the goal of establishing an ammonia hub in Pilbara by 2030, supported by the Western Australia Premier Roger Cook and his team.”

Nick Bentley, Managing Director of Oceania, added, “This collaboration underscores how the energy and shipping sectors can deliver meaningful reductions in greenhouse gases for Australia's iron ore exporters and the broader maritime industry. By combining NH3's capacity for clean ammonia production, the Pilbara ports' infrastructure, and MOL's pioneering dual-fuel fleet, we aim to create an integrated end-to-end solution for shipping fuel that will assist our clients in achieving their decarbonization targets as defined by the IMO.”

About NH3 Clean Energy Limited

NH3 Clean Energy Limited (ASX: NH3) is an Australian company focusing on the development of new energy projects and the exploration and development of energy-related resources. Through the WAH2 project, it aims to supply low-carbon hydrogen (and low-carbon ammonia) at large scale to global markets using renewable energy.

About Oceania Marine Energy

Oceania Marine Energy is an Australian company based in Perth, Western Australia. The company focuses on developing safe and reliable clean ammonia bunkering solutions in the Pilbara region. Its bunkering vessel, Oceania α, will play a crucial role in connecting low-carbon ammonia supply at Dampier with international vessels operating on Australia-Asia routes.