Australia’s NH3 and Japan’s ITOCHU band together for Asia Pacific clean ammonia bunkering ops

Australian company NH3 Clean Energy Limited (NH3) on Monday (8 December) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ITOCHU Corporation (ITOCHU) regarding the development of clean ammonia bunkering operations in the Asia Pacific region.

The MoU outlined collaboration over the next two years intended to support the development of clean ammonia bunkering operations in the Pilbara region of Western Australia by 2030 and clean ammonia supply for bunkering operations in the Asia Pacific region developed by ITOCHU.

The objectives of the MoU include aggregating 300,000 TPA of ammonia demand which would be supplied from NH3’s planned WAH2 Project. 

The MoU also aims to examine business models across the supply chain including equity participation and financing and support the Final Investment Decision (FID) for the WAH2 Project targeted for late 2026.

This MoU builds on the collaboration already occurring under the Joint Development Agreement  (JDA) that NH3 signed with Pilbara Ports Authority (Pilbara Ports) and Oceania Marine Energy (Oceania), and the MoU signed with Mitsui O.S.K Lines (MOL) and Oceania. The JDA aims to establish clean ammonia bunkering operations at the Port of Dampier by 2030 to service iron ore bulk carriers and support decarbonisation of the Pilbara-Asia maritime corridor. 

The subsequent MoU with MOL extended collaboration to include MOL, with the intent to develop a single, integrated proposition for clean ammonia-fuelled shipping and bunkering that will provide a compelling case for Australian mining companies to move to clean ammonia-fueled shipping to help decarbonise Australian iron ore exports.

ITOCHU has also been building up its ammonia supply chain and bunkering portfolio. The company has previously signed a shipbuilding contract for the construction of a 5,000 m3 ammonia bunkering vessel, entering a JDA with MOL with the aim of demonstrating ship-to-ship ammonia bunkering in Singapore and entering a JDA with TORAY Industries and Uyeno Transtech to establish an ammonia bunkering hub in Japan. 

NH3’s Chairman Charles Whitfield, said: “ITOCHU have consistently demonstrated their desire to be a leader in the transition of maritime transport to clean ammonia. They have already ordered an ammonia bunkering vessel, plan to undertake the first ship-to-ship ammonia bunkering in Singapore and announced a joint development agreement for ammonia bunkering in Japan. As the region’s leading clean ammonia project NH3 and ITOCHU make ideal partners to develop the huge market potential in the Asia Pacific.”

ITOCHU’s Takeo Akamatsu, said: “NH3 leverages robust partnerships with key Australian stakeholders and brings the concept of a comprehensive clean ammonia supply chain. We are pleased to support the introduction of ammonia bunkering operations at the Pilbara ports, which are renowned for their significant export volumes.”

Related: NH3, Pilbara Ports and Oceania to explore ammonia bunkering operations
Related: ITOCHU and partners to establish ammonia bunkering hub in Japan
Related: MOL and ITOCHU team up on Singapore ammonia bunkering demonstrations
Related: ITOCHU orders world’s first ammonia bunkering vessel for Singapore demonstration project

Photo credit: Scott Graham
Published: 9 December, 2025