Yara Clean Ammonia (YCA), the world’s largest trader and distributor of ammonia, proudly announces its key role in a landmark maritime decarbonization initiative led by the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD). The successful completion of the first-ever ship-to-ship transfer (STS) of ammonia at anchorage in Western Australia marks a major milestone in paving the way for 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.
“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.”
The trial builds on the 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.
Yara International’s presence in the Pilbara positions it uniquely to lead the development of ZNZ ammonia supply chains in the region. Yara operates an 850,000 metric ton per annum ammonia plant in Karratha, with about 70% of its production exported via Port Dampier. The company is also advancing Project Yuri, a renewable ammonia project targeting startup by 2026, and exploring additional low-emission ammonia initiatives at its Yara Pilbara Fertilisers (YPF) site.
“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 decarbonization.”
This pilot has generated crucial real-world data and best practices for future ammonia bunkering operations globally. Yara Clean Ammonia remains committed to sharing knowledge and collaborating with partners and regulators to accelerate the energy transition in shipping.
