IMO issues interim guidelines for safety of ammonia-fuelled ships

IMO has issued the Interim guidelines for the safety of ships using ammonia as fuel (MSC.1/Circ.1687), marking a significant milestone in regulatory support for alternative fuels, BIMCO informed.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has issued MSC.1/Circ.1687, the Interim Guidelines for the Safety of Ships Using Ammonia as Fuel. This development reflects a growing recognition of ammonia’s potential as a marine fuel in support of decarbonisation goals, and the need for a structured, risk-based approach to its safe use.

The Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) had approved the guidelines at its 109th session in December 2024, following their development and finalisation by the Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (CCC) at its 10th session in September 2024.

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According to BIMCO, the interim guidelines offer a safety framework based on goals and functions, addressing ship design, equipment, operations, bunkering, toxicity mitigation, and crew protection.

Though non-mandatory, the guidelines align closely with the IGF Code and SOLAS principles, providing a consistent reference for administrations and industry stakeholders as ammonia-fueled projects develop.

Related regulatory developments

In parallel to these interim provisions, the IMO is progressing work in several areas.

To clarify the application of the International Code of Safety for Ship Using Gases or Other Low-flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code), amendments to SOLAS Chapter II-1 were approved at MSC 109 to ensure gaseous fuels, including ammonia, are explicitly covered.

Moreover, the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (IGC Code) was updated to allow ammonia-fuelled operations on ammonia carriers.

Regarding seafarers training, the 11th session of the Sub-Committee on Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping (HTW) finalised Generic interim guidelines for the training of seafarers on ships using alternative fuels and new technologies.

These guidelines establish both basic and advanced training requirements, outline standards of competence, and mandate regular emergency drills. Approval is expected at MSC 110 in June 2025.

At the same time, HTW 11 initiated the development of fuel-specific training guidelines. A prioritisation was agreed, with training programs for methyl/ethyl alcohol, ammonia, fuel cells, LPG, hydrogen, and batteries to be developed in that order.

READ THE INTERIM GUIDELINES HERE