Emergency preparedness for ammonia-fuelled ships

Ships using ammonia as fuel must prepare for various emergency scenarios, including:

• Release of toxic liquid or vapour
• Fuel leaks due to hose or structural failure
• Structural damage to fuel tanks
• Fire involving ammonia systems
• Exhaust system explosions due to unburned ammonia
• Overpressure or overfilling of fuel tanks
• Exposure-related incidents (e.g., cold burns)
• Ship collisions or groundings
• Blackouts and communication failures
  

Emergency response measures

To effectively manage these risks, the SMS should include:

• Ammonia Spill Response: Immediate evacuation protocols, spill containment, and neutralization strategies using ammonia-specific agents.
• Incident Reporting Protocols: Clear communication channels for reporting ammonia-related incidents to internal and external responders.
• Leak Containment Procedures: Isolation protocols and dispersion modeling tools to predict vapour spread and establish safe zones.
• First Aid for Exposure: Guidelines for immediate decontamination, including flushing affected areas with water for 15 minutes and seeking medical attention.
• Emergency Shutdown Systems (ESDS): Regular testing and integration into emergency drills to ensure rapid shutdown when necessary.
• Ship-to-Ship Bunkering Communication: Establishing protocols for radio communication, signaling, and emergency coordination.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Training: Ensuring crew members are trained in the selection, use, and maintenance of PPE.
• Fire Management: Fire detection, isolation, and suppression procedures, including the use of suitable extinguishing agents.
• Crew Training & Drills: Frequent training and emergency preparedness exercises, including simulated leak containment, firefighting, and evacuation scenarios.
• Port Collaboration: Coordination with port authorities to align emergency response plans and ensure resource availability.
• Safety Equipment Checks & Inventory: Regular inspection of gas detectors, ventilation systems, and maintenance of emergency kits with neutralizing agents and protective suits.
• Continuous Improvement: Incident analysis, feedback collection, and procedural updates to enhance safety measures.
  

Legal considerations and liability

At present, ammonia as a bunker fuel is not specifically covered under an international convention. Liability related to an ammonia release is subject to national legislation.

However, when carried as cargo in bulk, ammonia falls under the International Convention on Liability and Compensation for Damage in Connection with the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances by Sea, 2010 (2010 HNS Convention). While this convention does not currently apply to ammonia as a fuel, similar damages can be expected from an ammonia-related incident aboard a vessel.

Ammonia’s high toxicity and short residence time in the marine environment mean that claims resulting from incidents involving this alternative fuel will differ significantly from those related to conventional hydrocarbon oil spills.