IMO approves ammonia fuel safety guidelines for gas carriers after Belgian-led industry push
At the International Maritime Organization’s 111th Maritime Safety Committee session, safety guidelines for ammonia as fuel on gas carriers were approved, the result of a collaboration among Belgium, shipowner EXMAR and Lloyd’s Register, who drew on more than four decades of gas carrier operational experience to ground the rules in real-world practice.
Belgium led the drafting at the IMO, with EXMAR contributing hands-on fleet knowledge and Lloyd’s Register providing technical oversight. EXMAR director Kristof Coppé credited the partnership’s combined competence and operational experience for producing practical, robust guidelines.
Lloyd’s Register’s Liam Blackmore said the approval signals ammonia’s progression from concept to fuel with an emerging international safety framework, accelerating adoption as the first ammonia-fueled ships near commercial operation.
Category: Sustainable Marine Fuels
