** Shares of Australia's NH3 Clean Energy NH3.AX rise as much as 17.4% to A$0.135, their highest point since October 20
** Company says its flagship project, the WAH2 Project in Western Australia (WA), which focuses on producing low-emission ammonia for export, was granted "federal major project" status for three years
** Company says status will speed up coordination with governments for project approvals, while supporting the path to a final investment decision targeted by the end of 2026
** YTD, stock up 42.1%
(Reporting by Shruti Agarwal in Bengaluru)
((Shruti.Agarwal@thomsonreuters.com))