Following an intense week of negotiations, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has finalized long-awaited interim guidelines for the use of ammonia as a marine fuel. This progress was made during the 10th session of the IMO’s Subcommittee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (CCC), marking a significant step towards global energy transition in the shipping industry.
As part of its broader goal to facilitate the shift to alternative fuels, CCC has been developing safety guidelines for hydrogen and ammonia bunkering. With the interim guidelines now complete, the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) is expected to formally approve the guidelines in December 2024, with implementation scheduled for 2025.
The guidelines, while primarily general, focus on key functional requirements for the safe use of ammonia as fuel. Further refinements based on real-world industry experience will be necessary. Key principles include measures for safely storing ammonia onboard vessels in a refrigerated state at atmospheric pressure. The guidelines also establish critical detection thresholds for ammonia, setting alarm levels at 25ppm in enclosed spaces and up to 220ppm for immediate shutdowns. Additionally, ammonia treatment systems must be installed on vessels to mitigate risks of leakage, as ammonia’s toxicity and corrosiveness present serious safety challenges.
Ammonia is considered highly toxic, with 30-minute exposure to 1,600ppm being lethal, underscoring the importance of rigorous leak detection standards.
Ammonia shows promise as a clean fuel for the future of shipping. According to Clarksons’ Green Technology Tracker, the first half of 2024 saw 15 orders for ammonia-ready ships. Additionally, the Singapore-based Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonization (GCMD) reported successful ship-to-ship ammonia transfers within Australia’s Port of Dampier. The pilot project involved transferring 4,000 cubic meters of ammonia, demonstrating the fuel’s potential for the industry.
This milestone comes at a crucial time, aligning with ongoing efforts by the IMO’s Intersessional Working Group on Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions, which begins its 17th session this week. These talks, ahead of the Marine Environment Protection Committee’s (MEPC) 82nd session at the end of September, are set to finalize binding mid-term GHG reduction measures. The measures include both a global standard for marine fuel GHG intensity reduction and discussions on economic incentives like GHG pricing to drive the industry toward net-zero operations.
The shipping industry is rapidly approaching a crossroads in its decarbonization efforts, and the adoption of ammonia as a marine fuel could play a pivotal role in achieving cleaner, more sustainable operations.
