Lloyd’s Register Maritime Decarbonisation Hub and the Maersk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping have launched new resources to support the safe adoption of ammonia as a marine fuel.
The resources include an Ammonia Process Safety Management (PSM) Maturity Self-Assessment Tool and a series of Ammonia Competency and Training Practitioner Handbooks. Collectively, they form part of the “Fuel Safety Frameworks: Ammonia” initiative. Lloyd’s Register Maritime Decarbonisation Hub (the Decarb Hub) and the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping (MMMCZCS) jointly developed this initative. It brings together expertise from across the shipping, energy, fuel production, training and technology sectors.
Controlling the hazards of ammonia
In preparation for ammonia-fuelled shipping, real progress has been made in understanding the technical requirements for safe ammonia fuel systems. However, ammonia’s hazard profile – particularly its toxicity – introduces safety challenges that need to be managed throughout a vessel’s operating life.
This points to a need for new approaches to operational safety management, training and risk control, both ashore and at sea. Vessel operators with more mature safety management organisations, staffed by teams with the right competencies, will be better placed to control ammonia’s hazards and reduce the risk of incidents.
Tool and training
The self-assessment tool uses a five-tier maturity scale to help shipowners, operators and managers identify weaknesses in their safety management systems. At the same time, they can track improvements towards ammonia readiness. Its framework draws on established practices from industries such as chemical processing and oil and gas, where similar hazards are managed.
The three handbooks set out the knowledge and skills required for safety-critical ammonia operations. They translate realistic scenarios into training and competency requirements for seafarers, vessel managers, terminal personnel, shore support teams and emergency responders.
The resources address the particular safety challenges posed by ammonia, especially its toxicity. The organisations say that technical safety measures must be supported by effective processes, trained personnel and mature safety management systems.
Freely available
The Ammonia PSM Tool and Competency and Training Practitioner Handbooks are available free of charge from the Decarb Hub/Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping at:
