Shipping's transition toward low- and zero-emission marine fuels will create new safety challenges, but these should not be allowed to delay the industry's decarbonisation efforts, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) says.

The warning comes as the industry works toward the International Maritime Organization's 2023 greenhouse gas strategy, which aims for net-zero emissions from international shipping by or around 2050, with interim emission-cutting checkpoints set for 2030 and 2040.

Methanol, ethanol, ammonia, hydrogen and biofuels can help shipping cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, but many of them require changes to ship design, bunkering infrastructure and onboard procedures, Sunil Krishnakumar, general manager of the ICS Singapore Branch, said in an emailed article on August 27. Each fuel carries a distinct hazard profile — ammonia is toxic when inhaled, hydrogen is highly flammable, and methanol is a low-flashpoint fuel, even though methanol bunkering, including operations in Singapore, has already taken place and dual-fuel vessels burning it are in commercial service.

"This is the safety paradox of decarbonisation," he said. "The very fuels and technologies designed to support shipping's path to net zero can also create new hazards for vessels, crews, ports and supply chains."

"This should not be seen as a reason to delay progress," Krishnakumar added. "Rather, it is a reminder that innovation must be matched by robust safety governance, practical procedures and effective crew training."

Crews will need fuel-specific training and practical drills covering bunkering, leak detection and emergency response, he said, while operators should carry out hazard identification and risk assessments for vessels using alternative fuels.

Regulatory frameworks will also need to develop as the industry gains more operational experience, particularly for ammonia and hydrogen. The IMO's Maritime Safety Committee has issued interim guidelines for ships using methanol and ethanol as fuel, and work continues on international safety guidance covering ammonia-fuelled ships. According to ICS, cooperation between shipowners, class societies, flag states and regulators will be important in turning lessons from early projects into stronger safety frameworks.

Source: Ship & Bunker