NH3 Clean Energy and Pilbara Ports forge ammonia export ties

Australia’s NH3 Clean Energy, formerly Hexagon Energy Materials, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Pilbara Ports Authority exploring the options for the loading and export of 600,000 tonnes per annum (TPA) of clean ammonia from its flagship WAH2 clean ammonia project.

As disclosed, the MoU outlines the collaboration between the two parties over the next 12 months, intended to establish operational arrangements and binding agreements supporting ammonia export from the project. Reportedly, it covers ship loading for both export and bunkering customers.

NH3 explained that ammonia would be transported from the WAH2 plant to the Port of Dampier by a new-build pipeline located in the existing infrastructure corridor and loaded onto ships at the port’s bulk liquids berth, subject to availability and commercial agreements.

NH3’s Chairman Charles Whitfield commented: “Pilbara Ports have demonstrated their support and enthusiasm for becoming a key hub for the handling of clean ammonia for the international market and marine fuel. As promised in the first gas supply announcement, the tempo of achieving milestones and development of the project will continue to increase as we drive for FID in H1 2026.”

To note, the WAH2 aims to supply low-emissions ammonia to the decarbonizing powerhouse economies of the Asia Pacific, including Japan and South Korea. Furthermore, it is regarded as a source of decarbonized “bunker” fuel for powering bulk carriers carrying iron ore from Australia to Asia.

As per NH3, the project is progressing towards its target of entering front-end engineering and design (FEED) at the end of Q1 2025. The pre-FEED engineering work for the project has already been completed.