IACS updates engine standards to accommodate ammonia propulsion
The International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) has updated its Unified Requirement UR M78 to include ammonia-powered engines.
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The newly published UR M78 expands its scope to formally include “comprehensive safety requirements” for ammonia-fuelled marine engines, IACS said.
Under the new revision, ammonia has been added as an approved fuel for reciprocating internal combustion engines, alongside natural gas, ethane, LPG, methanol and ethanol.
The update establishes a unified safety framework for the use of anhydrous ammonia – a fuel increasingly viewed as a long-term decarbonisation option for deep-sea shipping.
The revised requirements introduce additional risk analysis and mitigation measures aimed at addressing ammonia’s toxicity and explosion risks, including mandatory gas recovery systems and ammonia release mitigation systems, IACS said.
“The revision introduces measures to mitigate hazards from crankcase leakage, vent systems, explosion relief devices, and flexible hoses, ensuring crew safety,” it further added.
New design standards have also been set for gas piping arrangements to incorporate leak detection and type testing.
Engine manufacturers will be required to submit detailed technical documentation, including schematics, safety concepts and risk assessments, as part of the approval process, IACS said.
The new revision of UR M78 will be applied uniformly by IACS member societies to engines seeking type approval from 1 July 2027 onwards.
By Aparupa Mazumder
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