Navigating Safety Challenges: Implementing Hydrogen and Ammonia Marine Fuels
Key Ideas
  • Hydrogen and ammonia fuels present new safety challenges in ship design, bunkering, and operation, requiring enhanced safety measures.
  • Implementation of these alternative fuels necessitates changes in ship arrangement, storage systems, and fuel distribution due to their unique properties.
  • Seafarers must undergo comprehensive training to ensure safe handling of hydrogen and ammonia fuels, impacting organizational structures and safety management systems.
  • The adoption of hydrogen and ammonia fuels calls for new roles and responsibilities within ship operators' organizations and compliance with international safety regulations.
DNV's whitepaper addresses the evolving regulatory landscape and safe implementation of ammonia and hydrogen fuels in the maritime industry. Both fuels introduce new safety risks, necessitating a focus on safety in ship design, construction, and operation. The absence of specific international regulations for these fuels is identified as a barrier to widespread adoption. Safety considerations for ammonia and hydrogen highlight challenges in bunkering operations, onboard fuel storage, energy conversion, and maintenance. The integration of these fuels impacts ship arrangement, requiring new design solutions and independent storage tanks. Seafarers need to understand the hazards associated with these fuels for safe operation. The use of ammonia and hydrogen fuels influences the entire Safety Management System on ships, requiring changes in operational procedures and emergency preparedness. The ISM Code sets clear objectives for shipboard operations, including specific procedures for maintenance, operational handling, and emergency preparedness related to gas installations. Training and competence requirements for crew members align with the IGF Code and STCW standards, emphasizing the need for new competencies to support decarbonization goals and ensure safe operations in the shipping industry.
ADVANCEH2

Our vision is to be the world's leading online platform for advancing the use of hydrogen as a critical piece needed to deliver net-zero initiatives and the promise of a clean H2 energy future.

© 2025 AdvanceH2, LLC. All rights reserved.