IMO approves interim safety guidelines for ammonia-capable ships

The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has approved interim safety guidelines to enable the use of ammonia as a marine fuel on ammonia carriers.

PHOTO: Ship-to-ship ammonia transfer between Navigator Global and the Green Pioneer at the outer anchorage of Port Dampier. Yara Clean Ammonia

During its 109th session, held in London from 2-6 December, the IMO's Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) approved amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) addressing the current prohibition on using ammonia cargo as fuel.

The new amendments now enable the use of ammonia cargo as fuel, classification society DNV said.

These amendments will enter into force on 1 July 2026.

Ammonia is highly toxic and corrosive, factors that have hindered its widespread adoption. The interim guidelines could benefit ports such as Singapore, which seeks to establish ammonia bunkering by 2026.

Apart from this, the MSC 109 has also updated its list of alternative fuels and new technologies. A “swappable traction lithium-ion battery container was newly included as a potential power source for ships," the classification society Korean Register said.

By Manjula Nair

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