Australian ports explore ammonia bunkering

Australia’s Pilbara Port Authority (PPA) is collaborating with Norwegian firm Yara Clean Ammonia to explore whether they can build ammonia bunker infrastructure in ports on the Australian northwest coast.

PHOTO: Port of Dampier cargo wharf. Pilbara Ports Authority

The duo will assess potential ammonia bunker demand and whether bunker supply infrastructure can be built to connect to Yara's existing production plant in Pilbara. The plant currently produces ammonia for fertilisers. It also exports ammonia from the nearby Port of Dampier, which is also managed by the PPA.

They will devise guidelines for safe ammonia bunkering to the ports managed by the authority, which span Ashburton, Dampier, Port Hedland and the future ports of Anketell, Balla Balla and Cape Preston East.

“PPA strives to be a frontrunner in establishing frameworks to ensure safe ammonia bunker operations,” its chief executive Roger Johnston says.