Yara Clean Ammonia (YCA) has announced the successful completion of the world’s first ship-to-ship (STS) transfer of ammonia at anchorage in Western Australia.
This achievement, part of the maritime decarbonisation initiative led by the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD), represents a significant milestone in establishing ammonia as a viable marine fuel.
Under the supervision of the Pilbara Port Authority (PPA), the pilot took place within the anchorage area of Port Dampier, simulating real-world bunkering conditions and demonstrating that ammonia transfer can be executed safely and effectively offshore.
Yara Clean Ammonia was one of three core partners in the initiative, alongside GCMD and PPA, and played a central role in enabling the trial:
- Supplied the ammonia used in the transfer.
- Chartered the Green Pioneer of MOL, one of the two gas carriers used in the operation.
- Contributed technical expertise and industry knowledge to the safety studies, risk assessments, and emergency response planning.
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The trial builds on insights from GCMD’s prior safety study in Singapore and confirms that, with the right controls in place, ammonia STS transfers at anchorage are both safe and scalable.
“This successful trial is a pivotal step towards building trust in ammonia as a zero-to-near-zero emission (ZNZ) maritime fuel,” said Murali Srinivasan, SVP Commercial in Yara Clean Ammonia.
“It’s the result of world-class collaboration and careful planning—and it shows that with the right safeguards, ammonia bunkering is not only feasible but practical.”
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“With our strategic location, integrated logistics, and upcoming renewable and low-carbon ammonia production, Yara Clean Ammonia is well-positioned to support future ammonia bunkering in the Pilbara,” said Tessa Major, VP Infrastructure Development & Demand Aggregation in Yara Clean Ammonia.
“We’re not just supplying ammonia—we’re helping shape the standards and infrastructure that will enable global maritime decarbonisation.”
