One of Australia’s largest maritime conferences the Pilbara Ports Safe Ships Safe Ports Forum returns for 2025.
More than 700 Australian and international industry leaders from the marine, resources, and logistics sector collaborating on industry best practice, with a new operational study released at forum which confirms technical feasibility of ship-to-ship ammonia refueling operations at the Port of Port Hedland.
Established by Pilbara Ports in 2016, the annual forum is one of Australia’s largest maritime safety conferences and provides a platform for industry collaboration on maritime innovation, safety, and efficiency.
Key topics to be discussed at the forum include regulatory changes, training initiatives and sustainable shipping, future marine industry challenges and opportunities, and advances in maritime safety.
The findings confirm the port’s readiness to support low carbon ammonia fueled vessels and position the Pilbara as a potential global leader in safe clean fuel bunkering.
The study represents a key milestone in Pilbara Ports Clean Fuel Bunkering Strategy and supports planning for a ship-to-ship ammonia bunkering trial at the Port of Port Hedland in 2026.
Ports Minister Stephen Dawson MLC commented that the Pilbara is often referred to as the engine room of the Australian economy, with Pilbara Ports responsible for a staggering 775.7 million tonnes of throughput in the last financial year, worth an estimated US$153 billion.
Confirming the feasibility of ship-to-ship ammonia refueling at the Port of Port Hedland marks a major step toward establishing the Pilbara as a global hub for clean fuel bunkering and decarbonized shipping.
