June 19, 2025
Pilbara Ports has released a strategic roadmap to establish Australia’s first clean fuel bunkering hub in the Pilbara, positioning the region as a global leader in maritime decarbonisation.
The Pilbara Ports ‘Clean Fuel Bunkering Hub’ outlines a strategic roadmap to establish a clean fuel bunkering hub in the region, enabling the use of alternative marine fuels such as ammonia. The first of its type in Australia, the bunkering hub would support decarbonisation efforts across the shipping, resource and maritime sectors, in line with the State Government 2050 emissions reduction target.
The roadmap follows a successful ship-to-ship ammonia transfer trial at the Port of Dampier in September 2024, conducted with Yara Clean Ammonia and the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation.
The trial safely transferred 2,700 tonnes of ammonia and was deemed both safe and feasible, marking a significant milestone in clean fuel logistics. Upon completion of the trial, a report was issued in June 2025 by the GCMD with key findings confirming that ship-to-ship ammonia transfer at anchorage can be both safe and practicable, provided that recommended safeguards and operational controls are implemented.
To support this transition, Pilbara Ports is working with industry partners across several integrated workstreams, including infrastructure development, safety protocols, regulation, and potential pilot projects, such as a planned trial at Port Hedland in 2026.
State leaders have praised the initiative as a key step in achieving net-zero goals while unlocking new economic opportunities and reinforcing Western Australia’s global sustainability leadership.
