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IMO Expands Safety Rules for Hydrogen, Ammonia Fuel Use

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The International Maritime Organization's Maritime Safety Committee approved a series of new interim training and safety guidelines covering ammonia, methanol, hydrogen and liquefied hydrogen, DNV said on Friday.

The IMO's MSC held its 111th session from May 13 to May 22.

DNV said that the MSC approved "Interim guidelines on training for seafarers on ships using methyl/ethyl alcohol as fuel" along with separate guidance for vessels operating on ammonia fuel.

MSC 111 endorsed a work plan to further develop training requirements for seafarers serving on vessels using low- and zero-carbon fuels and emerging propulsion technologies, reflecting the industry's growing shift toward alternative energy systems.

The committee, in addition to training standards, approved safety guidance for ships using hydrogen as fuel, marking another step in the regulatory framework for one of the shipping sector's most closely watched future energy options.

For ammonia, MSC 111 approved interim guidelines addressing the use of ammonia cargo as fuel on gas carriers. The guidance focuses on safe handling practices, particularly in areas outside cargo zones, with an emphasis on protecting crew and vessel safety.

The committee also adopted revisions to existing recommendations for the carriage of liquefied hydrogen in bulk, updating Resolution MSC.565. The revision introduces a new section on cargo containment systems for membrane-type tanks, including provisions for maintaining vacuum-sealed insulation spaces.

Separately, MSC 111 approved draft amendments to Safety of Life at Sea, also known as SOLAS, Chapter II-1, clarifying that the International Code of Safety for Ships using Gases or other Low-flashpoint Fuels or the IGF Code applies to ships using gaseous fuels regardless of flashpoint characteristics.

The amendments introduce a formal definition of "gaseous fuels" and update related provisions on "low-flashpoint fuels."

Consequential amendments to the IGF Code were also agreed upon, aligning technical definitions and scope across the regulatory framework.

DNV said that the draft amendments to SOLAS and the IGF Code are expected to enter into force on July 1, 2028, subject to formal adoption at MSC 112 in December 2026.

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