KR (Korean Register), a leading classification society, has launched a crucial joint working group dedicated to establishing international standards for the safe discharge of toxic ammonia effluent generated from ammonia-fueled ships. This proactive initiative addresses one of the critical safety and environmental challenges associated with the maritime industry’s shift towards ammonia as a zero-carbon fuel.
Zero Carbon Fuel
Ammonia is rapidly emerging as a promising zero-carbon alternative fuel for the shipping industry. However, its widespread adoption is currently hindered by a critical gap: the lack of specific international safety standards, particularly concerning its high toxicity and potential risks to the marine environment.
A significant area of uncertainty lies in the absence of established guidelines for managing the ammonia effluent generated from wet treatment systems on ammonia-fueled vessels. This creates considerable technical and operational challenges for both ship design and daily operations.
To address this urgent need, a joint working group has been formed with the objective of developing comprehensive international standards for the storage, treatment, and discharge of ammonia effluent from ships. These proposed standards will then be formally submitted to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) via the Korean government.
This initiative builds upon a 2024 proposal to the IMO by the Korean Register (KR), in collaboration with the Korean government, which first highlighted the necessity for guidelines on managing ammonia effluent from ammonia-fueled ships. The proposal received official approval at the 83rd session of the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 83) in April 2025. The joint working group aims to submit draft guidelines to the IMO in 2026, spearheading international discussions on this vital issue.
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Source: Marine Link
