MOL Finds Local Partners to Advance Ammonia Bunkering Ops in Australia
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Australian companies NH3 Clean Energy (NH3) and Oceania Marine Energy to advance development of clean ammonia bunkering operations in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.
The MoU aims to establish collaboration with NH3 and Oceania 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 world's first ocean-going shipping company to participate in this initiative.
The firms will collaborate on the transition of iron ore carriers in the Pilbara region to ammonia fuel and the realization of the WAH2 project, which is NH3's flagship project to supply low-emissions ammonia to the decarbonizing powerhouse economies of the Asia Pacific, including Japan and South Korea as well as being a source of decarbonized 'bunker' fuel for powering bulk carriers carrying iron ore from Australia to Asia.
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 realize 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.
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, as the company looks to establish a fleet of ammonia duel-fueled capesize bulk carriers on the West Australia to East Asia trade route and ensure safe ammonia bunkering operations and consider the procurement of ammonia.
“We are honored to sign this MoU with NH3 and Oceania today, which will be a vital hub for our ammonia dual-fueled 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,” said Kazuhiro Takahashi, MOL's Managing Executive Officer.
