The land will be used for clean ammonia storage buffering and is located near the Port of Dampier Bulk Liquids Berth. NH2 said this would facilitate operational flexibility and expansion capability for the initiative.
The commitment agreement, signed with Australia’s Pilbara Ports Authority, advances the collaboration taking place between the two companies regarding the handling, loading and export of clean ammonia.
Under the agreement, NH3 and Pilbara Ports will negotiate a lease over the land, with the intent of agreeing and executing the deal no later than March 2027.
By that time, Front-End Engineering and Design (FEED) studies, input and offtake agreements, and a final investment decision (FID) are expected to be completed by late 2026.
“While we already have significant land for multiple expansion phases at the Maitland SIA site, appropriate land within the Port of Dampier is extremely scarce,” explained NH3’s Chairman, Charles Whitfield.
“Leasing this site should provide a significant benefit to the project for both initial operations and for future capacity expansion.”
The importance of Dampier as an ammonia hub is underscored by shipping demand forecasts.
H2 View understands that up to 29 dual-fuel, ammonia-capable bulk carriers are already on order to the port for delivery before 2030.
There are currently around 300 bulk carriers transporting iron ore from the Pilbara to Asia. Just 16 ammonia-fuelled ships refuelling at Dampier would require 600,000 tonnes of clean ammonia per year, equivalent to more than 90% of WAH2’s first phase.
Available now – Australia pulse report
Australia is positioning itself as a leading global supplier of clean ammonia and hydrogen to anchor customers Japan and Korea, with exports as the primary focus. However, domestic markets, especially bunkering, with future roles in power, heavy transport, and industry, are also expected to be significant.
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