Yara Clean Ammonia supported the world鈥檚 first ship-to-ship ammonia bunkering trial at anchorage in Pilbara, Western Australia. Partnering with GCMD and Pilbara Ports Authority, YCA supplied the fuel and technical expertise, proving ammonia鈥檚 viability as a marine fuel. The pilot marks a key milestone in maritime decarbonization efforts.
Yara Clean Ammonia (YCA), the world鈥檚 largest ammonia trader and distributor, has played a leading role in a landmark step toward maritime decarbonization. In collaboration with the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) and the Pilbara Ports Authority (PPA), YCA supported the successful completion of the first-ever ship-to-ship (STS) ammonia transfer at anchorage off the coast of Western Australia.
The trial took place in the anchorage zone of Port Dampier, under the oversight of the PPA, and simulated real-world bunkering conditions. This initiative demonstrated that offshore ammonia transfers can be conducted safely and effectively, marking a significant milestone in validating ammonia as a zero-to-near-zero emission (ZNZ) marine fuel.
YCA鈥檚 contributions to the pilot were critical. The company supplied the ammonia used in the STS transfer and chartered the Green Pioneer, a gas carrier owned by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), which was one of the two vessels involved in the operation. Additionally, YCA lent its technical and industry expertise to support safety studies, risk assessments and emergency response protocols that ensured the pilot was conducted under stringent safety measures.
鈥淭his successful trial is a pivotal step towards building trust in ammonia as a ZNZ maritime fuel,鈥� said Murali Srinivasan, senior vice president of commercial at Yara Clean Ammonia. 鈥淚t鈥檚 the result of world-class collaboration and careful planning鈥攁nd it shows that with the right safeguards, ammonia bunkering is not only feasible but practical.鈥�
The pilot builds upon safety research previously undertaken by GCMD in Singapore and confirms that STS ammonia transfers at anchorage, when properly managed, are both scalable and secure. The outcome strengthens confidence in the future use of ammonia for global maritime bunkering operations.
Yara鈥檚 long-standing presence in the Pilbara enhances its capability to lead low-emission ammonia initiatives in the region. The company operates an ammonia plant in Karratha with an annual capacity of 850,000 metric tons鈥�70% of which is exported through Port Dampier. Yara is also developing Project Yuri, a renewable ammonia venture aiming for startup in 2026, along with other low-carbon ammonia initiatives at its Yara Pilbara Fertilisers (YPF) facility.
鈥淲ith our strategic location, integrated logistics, and upcoming renewable and low-carbon ammonia production, YCA is well positioned to support future ammonia bunkering in the Pilbara,鈥� said Tessa Major, vice president of infrastructure development and demand aggregation at YCA. 鈥淲e鈥檙e not just supplying ammonia鈥攚e鈥檙e helping shape the standards and infrastructure that will drive global maritime decarbonization.鈥�
YCA remains committed to knowledge sharing and regulatory collaboration to support the transition to cleaner shipping worldwide.
