Yara leads first safe ammonia STS transfer trial

Yara Clean Ammonia (YCA) has announced the successful completion of the

world’s first ship-to-ship (STS) transfer of ammonia at anchorage in Western

Australia.

This achievement, part of the maritime decarbonisation initiative led by

the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD), represents a significant

milestone in establishing 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.

The trial builds on 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.

“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.”

“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 decarbonisation.”

Earlier this year, YCA Switzerland SA (Yara Clean Ammonia), a subsidiary of

Yara International ASA, entered into a time-charter contract with Nippon Yusen

Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK) to deliver an ammonia-fuelled medium gas carrier

(AFMGC).