First Ship-to-Ship Transfer of Ammonia at Anchorage
The first-ever ship-to-ship transfer (STS) of ammonia at anchorage has been completed in Australia. This marks a major milestone in paving the way for ammonia as a viable marine fuel.
This milestone is part of a landmark maritime decarbonization initiative led by the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD). Yara Clean Ammonia, the world’s largest trader and distributor of ammonia, played a key role in the STS.
Under the supervision of the Pilbara Port Authority, 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 supplied the ammonia used in the transfer; chartered one of the two gas carriers used in the operation; and contributed technical expertise and industry knowledge to the safety studies, risk assessments, and emergency response planning.
The trial builds on the 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.