MOL teams up with NH3 and Oceania Marine Energy for ammonia bunkering

This makes MOL the world’s first ocean-going shipping company to participate in this initiative.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) has entered in to a memorandum of understanding with NH3 Clean Energy Limited (NH3) and Oceania Marine Energy (Oceania) for the development of clean ammonia bunkering operations in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

“This is a memorandum of understanding to promote 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 this year,” MOL said in a statement.

The company said this will make MOL the first ocean-going shipping company to participate in such an initiative.

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.

Under the partnership, the companies will collaborate on the transition of iron ore carriers in the Pilbara region to ammonia fuel and the realisation of the WAH2 project.

MOL will jointly own three ammonia dual-fuel Capesize bulkers with Belgium-based CMB.TECH NV, which are scheduled to be delivered by China State Shipbuilding Corporation's Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. between 2026 and 2027.

MOL Managing Executive Officer Kazuhiro Takahashi said this initiative will be a vital hub for the company’s ammonia dual-fuelled capesize bulkers scheduled to commence operations from 2026.

The company is looking to establish a fleet of ammonia dual-fuelled capesize bulk carriers on the West Australia to East Asia trade route.

“This new agreement reinforces the growing momentum behind the shift to low-emission maritime fuels and builds on the existing Joint Development Agreement between NH3, Pilbara Ports, and Oceania Marine to establish an ammonia hub in the Pilbara by 2030,” said NH3 Chairman Charles Whitfield.