Perth, Australia | December 8, 2025 – In a development that further accelerates the global pivot toward alternative marine fuels, NH3 Clean Energy Limited has signed a pivotal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Japan’s ITOCHU Corporation to jointly advance clean ammonia bunkering infrastructure in Western Australia and the wider Asia-Pacific region.
The agreement lays the groundwork for what could become one of the region’s most strategically important clean ammonia supply chains—anchored by NH3’s WAH2 Project in the Pilbara and strengthened by ITOCHU’s rapidly expanding portfolio of ammonia-fuel initiatives across Japan, Singapore, and regional shipping corridors.
This MoU is positioned not as an exploratory gesture, but as a two-year, commercially focused collaboration aimed squarely at enabling the operational and commercial conditions required for clean ammonia bunkering at scale.
A Strategic Blueprint for a Pilbara–Asia Clean Ammonia Corridor
Under the MoU, NH3 and ITOCHU will jointly develop the critical building blocks needed for ammonia bunkering operations in the Pilbara by 2030, targeting both regional and international deep-sea vessels.
Key components include:
- 300,000 TPA Demand Aggregation: ITOCHU intends to aggregate up to 300,000 tonnes per annum (TPA) of clean ammonia demand from its customers and partner networks across the Asia-Pacific region. This volume would be supplied directly from the WAH2 Project, positioning it as one of Australia’s largest future suppliers of marine-grade clean ammonia.
- Pilbara Bunkering Proposition: The partners will develop a commercially robust bunkering model for clean ammonia at the Port of Dampier, integrated with existing Pilbara export activity and aligned with expected ammonia-ready and ammonia-fuelled newbuild deliveries in the early 2030s.
- Full Supply Chain Architecture: The collaboration includes assessment of supply chain ownership structures, equity participation, financing models, production and off-take frameworks and terminal, storage, and bunkering logistics. The objective is to establish a bankable, end-to-end chain that supports NH3’s Final Investment Decision (FID) for WAH2, targeted for late 2026.
- Regional Expansion Across Asia-Pacific: ITOCHU, already leading several ammonia bunkering initiatives in Japan and Singapore, intends to integrate WAH2 volumes into its planned Asia-Pacific bunkering hubs, enabling cross-border supply consistency.
Turning MoUs into Market Reality: A Deepening Cluster of Pilbara Partnerships
This agreement becomes the third major pillar in NH3’s growing ammonia bunkering ecosystem:
- The Joint Development Agreement (JDA) with Pilbara Ports Authority and Oceania Marine Energy, signed June 2025, to establish low-emissions ammonia bunkering at the Port of Dampier.
- The October 2025 MoU with Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and Oceania, linking NH3’s supply ambitions with the fleet strategies of one of the world’s most advanced ammonia-fuel proponents.
- And now, ITOCHU—one of Japan’s most active ammonia supply chain developers—joins the alliance, completing a critical triad of port, fuel, and vessel stakeholders.
Each agreement is structured to converge by 2030, forming a fully integrated Pilbara–Asia clean ammonia corridor.
NH3 Chairman Charles Whitfield emphasized this alignment “ITOCHU have consistently demonstrated their desire to be a leader in the transition of maritime transport to clean ammonia. As the region’s leading clean ammonia project, NH3 and ITOCHU make ideal partners to develop the huge market potential in the Asia Pacific.”
ITOCHU: Building the Backbone of Asia’s Ammonia Bunkering Network
ITOCHU continues to strengthen its profile as a first-mover in clean ammonia supply chains. Its recent milestones include:
- 5,000 m³ Ammonia Bunkering Vessel: Ordered in July 2025, the vessel is among the first large-scale ammonia bunker barges globally.
- Singapore Ship-to-Ship (STS) Demonstration: A Joint Development Agreement with MOL aims to deliver Singapore’s first ammonia STS operation, a critical step for global fuel certification and handling standards.
- Japan Bunkering Hub Development: JDA with TORAY Industries and Uyeno Transtech to develop commercial ammonia bunkering hubs across Japan, supporting the expected domestic roll-out of ammonia-capable tonnage.
ITOCHU’s Takeo Akamatsu said “NH3 leverages robust partnerships with key Australian stakeholders and brings the concept of a comprehensive clean ammonia supply chain. We are pleased to support the introduction of ammonia bunkering operations at the Pilbara ports, which are renowned for their significant export volumes.”
WAH2 Project: Advancing Toward FID and Regional Energy Security
The WAH2 Project is designed to supply low-emissions ammonia to Japan, South Korea, and broader Asia, while also serving as a dedicated bunker fuel source for iron ore carriers traversing the Pilbara–Asia corridor.
Project development status:
- Scoping Study: Completed on schedule (2022)
- Preliminary Feasibility + Site Lease Option: Completed Q2 2023
- Pre-FEED: Q3 2023 – Q2 2025
- FEED Phase: Underway (Q3 2025 – Q4 2026)
- FID: Targeted for late 2026
With off-take, port infrastructure, vessel partners, and now a major Japanese trading house aligned, WAH2 is emerging as one of the most advanced clean ammonia export and bunkering projects in the region.
A Landmark Step for Asia-Pacific Maritime Decarbonization
The MoU between NH3 and ITOCHU represents far more than a corporate collaboration, it is a structural advancement for the global marine fuels market. If realized, the WAH2 supply chain, linked to ITOCHU’s regional hubs, could become a multi-jurisdictional clean ammonia network capable of supporting early adopters of ammonia propulsion and accelerating compliance with IMO’s tightening GHG reduction mandates.
This development positions Western Australia not only as a major energy exporter, but also as a future strategic bunkering centre for zero-carbon fuels.
About ITOCHU
ITOCHU is implementing its “Brand-new Deal” management policy to enhance downstream value creation and contribute to global sustainability goals. The company continues to promote early adoption of ammonia-fuelled vessels and related infrastructure as part of international shipping decarbonization.
About NH3 Clean Energy Limited
NH3 Clean Energy Limited (ASX: NH3) is an Australian clean energy company focused on the development of future energy projects, with a primary emphasis on low-emissions ammonia production. Its flagship initiative, the WAH2 Project, aims to produce decarbonised ammonia using renewable energy to serve export markets in the Asia-Pacific region, including Japan and South Korea.
NH3 Clean Energy is committed to supporting the maritime industry’s transition to low-carbon fuels by supplying clean ammonia as a sustainable alternative bunker fuel. In addition to its energy projects, NH3 owns and explores mineral resources in Western Australia, including the McIntosh Nickel-Copper-PGE and Halls Creek Gold and Base Metals projects.
Source NH3 Clean Energy