IMO issues interim guidelines for safety of ammonia-fuelled ships
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has issued MSC.1/Circ.1687, the Interim Guidelines for the Safety of Ships Using Ammonia as Fuel. This development reflects a growing recognition of ammonia’s potential as a marine fuel in support of decarbonisation goals, and the need for a structured, risk-based approach to its safe use.
Goal-based, high-level safety provisions
The interim guidelines provide a goal- and function-based safety framework covering ship design, equipment, operations, bunkering, toxicity mitigation and crew protection. While the guidelines are non-mandatory, they align closely with the IGF Code and SOLAS principles, offering administrations and industry stakeholders a consistent reference point as ammonia-fuelled projects emerge.
The guidelines aim to ensure that ammonia-fuelled systems offer at least the same level of safety and reliability as conventional oil-fuelled machinery, recognising ammonia’s specific hazards, including high toxicity, potential for explosive atmospheres and material compatibility challenges.
They encourage early uptake while noting that further refinements will be necessary as operational experience is gained, particularly in relation to toxicity controls and emergency systems, informed a BIMCO release.
Source: Exim News Service: London, March 27