NH3 Clean Energy has signed a memorandum of understanding with Japanese trading group ITOCHU Corporation to explore clean ammonia bunkering opportunities in the Asia Pacific region.
The agreement focuses on potential bunkering operations in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, with a long-term target of operations by 2030, alongside broader supply arrangements for ammonia marine fuel linked to ITOCHU’s regional energy activities.
According to NH3, the partners intend to assess whether sufficient demand can be aggregated to support bunkering economics. The MoU references a target of up to 300,000 tonnes per year of ammonia, which would be supplied from NH3’s proposed Western Australian Hydrogen and Ammonia Project.
Work under the agreement will also include a review of commercial structures across the value chain, including ownership and financing options. NH3 said the outcome of these studies is expected to feed into a final investment decision for the WAH2 project, currently pencilled in for late 2026.
ITOCHU has been building exposure to ammonia fuel pathways for shipping, including supply and logistics concepts, as vessel orders and regulatory frameworks continue to develop at a slower pace.
The NH3–ITOCHU MoU follows earlier ammonia-related agreements involving Pilbara Ports Authority, Oceania Marine Energy and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, illustrating how the Pilbara is positioning itself for a potential future role in clean fuel bunkering.
