Pilbara Ports and Yara Pilbara partner to establish a low-carbon ammonia bunkering hub across the Ports of Dampier and Port Hedland, Western Australia. The initiative leverages world-class ammonia production to decarbonize major shipping routes between the Pilbara and East Asia.
Dampier | March 5, 2026 – In a move set to redefine the logistics of the “Green Iron Corridor,” Pilbara Ports and Yara Pilbara have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to develop a world-class low-carbon ammonia bunkering hub. The agreement, announced today, March 5, 2026, marks a critical pivot for the region from a pure export powerhouse to a strategic refueling destination for the next generation of zero-emission vessels.
The partnership leverages Yara’s massive ammonia production footprint on the Burrup Peninsula, one of the largest in the world, to supply the Ports of Dampier and Port Hedland.
Redefining the Pilbara Trade Route
For decades, the Pilbara has been the starting point for global iron ore supply chains, yet it has remained a “fuel desert.” Currently, the thousands of bulk carriers servicing the region must carry enough heavy fuel oil (HFO) for their entire round-trip from East Asia, or bunker at intermediary hubs like Singapore.
By establishing local ammonia bunkering, the Pilbara intends to capture a significant portion of the marine fuel market while slashing the carbon footprint of the Australia-to-Asia trade route.
“The green iron corridor between the Pilbara and East Asia has the scale and stable demand to support the significant investment maritime decarbonization requires,” said Samuel McSkimming, CEO of Pilbara Ports. “We have the renewable energy resources and the existing ammonia industry to lead the world in green fuel production.”
Key Pillars of the MOU
The collaboration isn’t just about pipes and tanks; it’s a comprehensive framework to “operationalize” ammonia, a fuel that requires rigorous safety protocols. The MOU focuses on four strategic areas:
- Infrastructure Planning: Detailed engineering for fueling stations at both Dampier and Port Hedland.
- Safety & Training: Development of specialized handling programs for port staff and seafarers.
- Regulatory Advocacy: Working with state and federal governments to harmonize clean fuel standards.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Aligning with mining giants and shipowners to ensure demand-side readiness.
The Road to Net Zero: 2026 and Beyond
The timing of the MOU is significant. It builds on the momentum of the Pilbara Clean Fuel Bunkering Hub roadmap launched last year.
| Milestone | Status/Target |
| First Ship-to-Ship Transfer Trial | Successfully completed (Dampier, 2024) |
| Operational Feasibility Study | Confirmed for Port Hedland (Oct 2025) |
| Second Bunkering Trial | Scheduled for Port Hedland (Late 2026) |
| First Commercial Ammonia Vessels | Expected deployment (2028) |
| Target: 100% Low-Carbon Exports | 2050 |
Laurent Trost, COO of Yara Pilbara, emphasized that the transition is backed by proven industrial capacity. “Our operations are already the largest in Australia. We are part of a global parent company leading the low-carbon ammonia transition, and we are excited to turn the vision of a Pilbara bunkering hub into a reality,” Trost stated.
Why Ammonia?
Ammonia (NH3) is widely regarded as the frontrunner for decarbonizing long-haul shipping because it contains no carbon and can be stored as a liquid at moderate pressures. When produced via renewable energy (Green Ammonia) or with carbon capture (Blue Ammonia), it offers a potential 94% reduction in total lifecycle emissions compared to traditional HFO.
Strategic Impact
The hub is expected to support Western Australia’s 2050 net-zero targets and provide a template for other global resource hubs. By integrating Yara’s production with Pilbara’s port infrastructure, the region is positioning itself not just as a miner of the future, but as the “service station” for the world’s greenest fleet.
Yara’s Strategic Presence
Yara Clean Ammonia is uniquely positioned to lead the transition to clean fuels in Western Australia. Yara operates a world-scale ammonia facility in Karratha, producing 850,000 metric tons per annum, with around 70% exported via Port Dampier. The company is also spearheading Project Yuri, a renewable ammonia initiative targeting startup in 2026, and actively exploring additional low-carbon and renewable ammonia production pathways through its Yara Pilbara Fertilisers (YPF) facility.
About Pilbara Ports
Pilbara Ports Authority is the world’s largest bulk export port authority, operating key Western Australian ports including Port Hedland, Dampier, and Ashburton. With a legacy of enabling Australia’s resource economy, Pilbara Ports is now steering its strategic vision toward decarbonisation and clean fuel leadership.
Source: Pilbara Ports Authority