MOL Signs Up To Ammonia Bunkering Project For Its New Capesizes Servicing The World’s Largest Iron Ore Port

Japanese shipowner Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) has opted into a nascent ammonia bunkering project in Australia.

The company will work with new partners to address safety concerns and availability issues in the Pilbara region, home to the world’s largest iron ore export port.

Ammonia studies will be conducted on Singapore’s Jurong Island.

Pilbara Ports Authority had already entered into a joint development agreement with NH3 which will supply blue ammonia, and Oceania Marine Energy, which is to order a bunkering vessel.

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The goal is to start supplying capesizes at Dampier and Port Hedland by 2030.

“Together, we will jointly propose solutions to Western Australian iron ore suppliers and work to address issues such as safety in ammonia bunkering operations,” MOL said.

MOL has three ammonia dual-fuel capesizes on order with Belgium’s CMB.Tech at Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding in China for delivery next year and in 2027.

The shipping company’s managing executive officer, Kazuhiro Takahashi, said: “We are honoured to sign this MoU with NH3 and Oceania today, which will be a vital hub for our ammonia dual-fuelled capesize bulkers scheduled to commence operations from 2026.”

“This collaboration marks an important milestone in our efforts to establish a safe and reliable ammonia bunkering operation in the Pilbara region. By working closely with our partners, we look forward to building a robust framework for safe ammonia bunkering and advancing sustainable shipping together.”

Oceania’s managing director, Nick Bentley, explained that the deal shows how partnerships across the energy and shipping sectors can deliver real emission reduction outcomes for Australia’s iron ore exporters and shipping industry.

“By combining NH3’s clean ammonia production capacity, Pilbara Ports’ infrastructure, Oceania’s bunker services and MOL’s pioneering dual-fuel fleet, we are creating an integrated end-to-end marine fuel solution that enables our customers to meet the IMO’s decarbonisation targets,” he added.