Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line) and BHP Group have renewed their memorandum of understanding (MOU) to advance decarbonisation and safety initiatives in the dry bulk shipping sector.

The Japanese shipping company and Australian resources corporation signed the agreement on November 25, 2025, strengthening a partnership that began in June 2022.

Under the renewed MOU, the companies will continue joint research on ammonia dual-fuel vessel technologies and conduct biofuel operational trials as part of efforts to reduce carbon emissions in maritime transport. The partnership also focuses on enhancing safety practices in the dry bulk industry through research, equipment evaluation and operational trials.

Emma Roberts, Vice President Maritime & Supply Chain Excellence at BHP, said: "BHP welcomes the opportunity to build on our shared history with long-term strategic partner, NYK Line. We have a shared commitment to be innovative and to accelerate industry safety, technology, and sustainability performance across the maritime sector."

She added: "As one of the world's largest dry bulk charterers, BHP has a deep interest in working alongside our partners to advance a safer, technology-driven, and efficient shipping industry."

Hiroaki Nishiyama, Managing Executive Officer, Chief Executive of Dry Bulk Division at NYK Line , said: "We are delighted to strengthen our strategic partnership with BHP further and work together to promote decarbonisation and enhance safe operations in the dry bulk industry."

He noted: "Amid an uncertain outlook for environmental regulations, we will combine the strengths of both companies to accelerate the development of next-generation environmental technologies and steadily advance toward achieving our net-zero target by 2050."

The collaboration is aimed at creating a bilateral model that NYK Line and BHP Group say will help drive decarbonisation and improved safety operations across the broader dry bulk industry.