ITOCHU to aggregate demand for NH3 Clean Energy’s Pilbara project

300,000 tons per year, focused on bunker fuel

Click to learn more about the NH3 Clean Energy-ITOCHU partnership in the Pilbara. Source: NH3 Clean Energy.

NH3 Clean Energy and Japanese trader ITOCHU will collaborate over the next two years to support the development of ammonia bunkering operations in the Pilbara by 2030. ITOCHU will work to aggregate demand for 300,000 tons per year of CCS-based ammonia from NH3’s WAH2 production project, building up to a targeted FID in late 2026. NH3 Clean Energy, Pilbara Ports Authority, Oceania Marine Energy, and Mitsui O.S.K Lines are all partners in the separate Pilbara Clean Fuels Bunkering Hub initiative, which aims to establish ammonia bunkering in the Ports of Hedland and Dampier by 2030. ITOCHU is building bunker supply chains of its own in Singapore and Japan, and in July 2025 signed a contract for construction of the world’s first ammonia bunker barge, set to operate in Singapore from late 2027.

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.

NH3 Clean Energy Chairman Charles Whitfield, in his organisation’s official press release, 8 Dec 2025

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.

ITOCHU GM of Green Innovation Business Unit Takeo Akamatsu, in NH3’s official press release, 8 Dec 2025

FEED work on the WAH2 project began in September, and is in negotiations with Pilbara Ports Authority for a land lease agreement for ammonia handling, loading and export at the Port of Dampier.

Pilbara Ports continues to be a valuable and forward-looking partner in the development of the clean ammonia business both for bunkering and access to the international market. While we already have sufficient land for multiple expansion phases at the Maitland SIA site, appropriate land within the Port of Dampier is extremely scarce. Leasing this site should provide a significant benefit to the WAH2 Project for both initial operations and for future capacity expansion.

NH3 Clean Energy Chairman Charles Whitfield, in his organisation’s official press release, 12 Sept 2025