Successful Ammonia Transfers at Dampier Port Pave the Way for Marine Fuel Bunkering

A consortium led by the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) recently conducted successful ship-to-ship ammonia transfers at the Port of Dampier in Western Australia. The pilot operation, held last Saturday, involved two transfers between the ammonia tankers Green Pioneer and Navigator Global, each with capacities of 35,000 and 22,500 cubic meters, respectively. These transfers carried approximately 2,700 tons of ammonia and lasted around six hours.

Professor Lynn Loo, CEO of GCMD, emphasized the significance of this pilot project in setting the stage for using ammonia as a marine fuel. The successful transfers highlight the operational feasibility of future ammonia bunkering in the Pilbara region, potentially establishing it as a hub for low greenhouse gas emissions ammonia bunkering. Projections suggest that the international iron ore trade could demand 1 to 1.5 million tonnes of ammonia by 2035.

Stringent safety measures, such as emergency couplings, shutdown devices, and comprehensive risk assessments, were implemented to ensure the smooth execution of the transfers. By reducing its carbon footprint, the shipping industry aims to learn valuable lessons from this pilot project for upcoming ammonia bunkering operations. The GCMD intends to use this experience to evaluate ammonia transfer feasibility in other ports and prepare for a future where ammonia could have a vital role as a marine fuel.

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