New safety guidelines for the use of ammonia as fuel on gas carriers have been approved at the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 111). It marks a significant step towards the commercial deployment of ammonia-fuelled vessels.
The guidelines, developed through collaboration between Lloyd’s Register (LR), the Belgian Federal Public Service Mobility and Transport (FPS Mobility) and gas shipping operator Exmar, provide a practical framework to manage the safety risks associated with ammonia.
By drawing directly on operational experience and regulatory input, the guidance sets out how ammonia can be handled safely on-board and supports early projects as they move towards execution.
Also read: Exmar fleet gains ammonia-fuelled first
Reflecting real-world practice
Building on Exmar’s and LR’s experience in mid-size gas carrier shipbuilding, the Directorate-General Shipping of the FPS Mobility has taken the lead in the IMO to draft these guidelines. This guarantees that the regulatory framework reflects the real-world practice, enabling innovation while maintaining effective safeguards within a controlled environment.
The approval is expected to reduce uncertainty for shipowners and designers assessing ammonia as a future fuel, particularly as the first vessels designed to operate on ammonia approach entry into service.
Liam Blackmore, Global Head of Technology Adoption and Integration, LR: ‘The approval of these guidelines provides a clear signal that ammonia is moving from concept to a fuel with an emerging international safety framework. It demonstrates how close collaboration between industry, flag administrations and technical organisations can accelerate the safe adoption of new fuels at scale.’
Picture: Exmar’s Antwerpen ammonia dual-fuel midsize gas carrier (MGC) (photo supplied by LR).
Also read: WinGD completes FAT of ammonia engine for bulk carrier
