Japanese shipping giant Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has recently formally joined hands with two Australian companies, NH3 Clean Energy and Oceania Marine Energy, to jointly promote a low-emission ammonia fuel bunkering project, adding another heavyweight collaboration to the energy transition of the shipping industry.
According to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the three parties on October 7, this cooperation will focus on the Pilbara region in Western Australia, aiming to jointly develop clean ammonia fuel bunkering business. This also makes MOL the first international deep-sea shipping company to participate in this field.
MOL stated that the core content of the tripartite cooperation includes: promoting the gradual transition of iron ore carriers in the Pilbara region to ammonia fuel power, especially the Capesize bulk carriers frequently traveling to and from the area, and collaboratively advancing the implementation of the WAH2 project.
The WAH2 project is the flagship initiative of NH3 Clean Energy, with the goal of establishing a low-emission ammonia production and supply system in Australia. It aims to provide fuel sources for the decarbonization processes of Asia-Pacific economies such as Japan and South Korea, while also supplying decarbonized fuel for bulk carriers traveling between Australia and Asia.
Under this framework, the three parties will also conduct joint research on safety standards, risk control, and operational procedures for ammonia fuel bunkering to ensure the safety and feasibility of the new fuel in port operations.
It is worth noting that MOL is currently cooperating with Belgian shipowner CMB.TECH to jointly own three dual-fuel Capesize bulk carriers. These newbuilds will be constructed by Beihai Shipbuilding, are scheduled for delivery between 2026 and 2027, and will be chartered by MOL’s Singapore-based company MOL Chemical Tankers (MOLCT).
This charter agreement, signed in March of this year, is seen as an important step for MOL in planning green shipping on the “West Australia-East Asia” route. It serves both as a strategic deployment to secure ammonia fuel and lays the foundation for the safe operation of ammonia fuel bunkering in the future, particularly in the key ore export hub of Pilbara.
As early as June 2025, the Pilbara Ports Authority had already signed a Joint Development Agreement with NH3 Clean Energy and Oceania Marine Energy. The plan involves NH3 supplying “blue ammonia” and Oceania being responsible for bunkering operations, jointly promoting the construction of low-carbon ammonia fuel bunkering infrastructure in the region.
According to the plan, the project aims to officially commence ammonia fuel bunkering services for Capesize vessels at the ports of Dampier and Port Hedland before 2030, establishing a new role for Australia in the global clean fuel supply chain.
