The International Maritime Organization’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) has approved interim guidelines for the safe operation of ammonia-fueled ships. This is a significant step towards adopting ammonia as a marine fuel and decarbonizing the shipping industry, according to Safety4sea.
Amendments to mandatory instruments
MSC 109 adopted amendments to Paragraph 16.9.2 of the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (IGC Code) to enable the use of ammonia as fuel on ammonia carriers. An MSC circular was approved to encourage the voluntary early implementation of the amendments to Chapter 16. The amendments will enter into force on 1 July 2026.
Safety of ships using natural gas as fuel
MSC 109 adopted amendments to the International Code of Safety for Ships Using Gases or Other Low-flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code), based on experience with the code since its entry into force in 2017. The amendments include:
- Clarified application provisions
- Alignment with the IGC Code on suction wells for fuel tanks extending below the lowermost boundary of the tank
- Alignment with the IGC Code on discharge from pressure relief valves to discharge to tanks under certain conditions
- Clarified requirements for fire insulation for deck structures about fuel tanks on open deck
- Clarified requirements for hazardous ducts through non-hazardous spaces and vice versa
- Updated requirements for the hazardous zone radius for fuel tank vent mast outlets, increasing to 6 metres for zone 1 and 4 meters for zone 2
The amendments will enter into force on 1 January 2028.
Goal-based new ship construction standards
Goal-based standards (GBS) for the new construction of bulk carriers and oil tankers are, conceptually, the IMO’s rules for class rules. Under the GBS, IMO auditors use guidelines to verify the construction rules for bulk carriers and oil tankers of class societies acting as Recognized Organizations (Resolution MSC.454(100)).
Initial GBS verification of Biro Klasifikasi Indonesia (BKI)
BKI has requested GBS verification of their ship construction rules for bulk carriers and oil tankers. MSC 109 agreed that the BKI rules comply with the GBS, provided non-conformities and observations are rectified and verified in a new audit.
Maritime autonomous surface ships (MASS)
The prospect of autonomous ships operating internationally with little or no human intervention has revealed the need for a regulatory framework for such ships, including their interaction and co-existence with conventional manned ships. The current regulatory framework generally assumes manning and human intervention. The IMO has agreed to develop a non-mandatory, goal-based code for cargo MASS, potentially entering into force as a mandatory code upon experience with its application.
The purpose of the code is to provide a framework to address both the remote control and the autonomous operation of key functions. The non-mandatory MASS Code is planned to be finalized by 2026, followed by an experience-building phase after its adoption. A mandatory code is expected to enter into force on 1 January 2032, at the earliest. MSC 109 finalized the chapters of the MASS Code on risk assessment, remote operations, and connectivity.
New technologies and alternative fuels
Identification of gaps in current IMO instruments
MSC 109 continued its consideration of potential alternative fuels and new technologies to support the reduction of GHG emissions from ships from a safety perspective. The intention is to identify safety obstacles, barriers, and gaps in the current IMO instruments that may impede the use of various alternative fuels and new technologies. MSC 109 agreed to add “swappable traction lithium-ion battery containers” to the list of alternative fuels and new technologies. The list already includes fuels and technologies such as ammonia, hydrogen, fuel cell power installations, nuclear power, solar power, wind power, lithium-ion batteries, and supercapacitor energy storage technology. Recommendations to address each of the identified barriers and gaps in the IMO regulatory framework will be considered in a Correspondence Group until MSC 110 (June 2025).
Application of the IGF Code
MSC 109 agreed on draft amendments to SOLAS to clarify that the IGF Code applies to ships using gaseous fuels, whether they are low-flashpoint or not. The term “gaseous fuels” was added to the definitions in SOLAS Regulation II-1/2 and to the application provisions of SOLAS Regulations II-1/56 and 57. The draft amendments are expected to enter into force on 1 January 2027, subject to adoption by MSC 110 (June 2025).
Maritime cyber risk management
MSC 109 recognized the importance of cybersecurity standards for ships and port facilities and invited proposals on the next steps to enhance maritime cybersecurity.
Formal safety assessment
MSC 109 agreed to draft modifications to the Revised FSA Guidelines (MSC-MEPC.2/Circ.12/Rev.2). The draft modifications include an updated threshold for the cost–benefit assessment and improved guidance for the ranking of costefficient risk control options. In addition, the guidelines have been editorially reviewed to increase clarity and take into account experience gained.
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Source: Safety4sea
