Year: 2025 Language: English Author: European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) Genre: Research paper Format: PDF Quality: eBook Pages count: 140 Description: With ammonia-fuelled 2-stroke and 4-stroke propulsion engines, as well as genset engines, becoming commercially available, ammonia is gaining traction as a zero-carbon marine fuel with the potential to significantly advance the decarbonisation goals outlined in the 2023 International Maritime Organization (IMO) Green House Gas (GHG) reduction strategy. As a carbon-free substance, ammonia offers nearzero emissions on a tank-to-wake basis and, when produced sustainably, can achieve similar results on a well-to-wake basis. Ammonia can be stored as a liquid at moderate pressures or at -33°C. These conditions are far less demanding than the cryogenic requirements for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) or hydrogen. Thus, it could become a viable long-term solution. However, its adoption introduces substantial safety and operational challenges, including toxicity, corrosiveness, and the need for specialised fuel systems and engine designs. Addressing these risks through robust safety protocols, regulatory frameworks, and crew training is essential to ensure the safe and effective integration of ammonia into marine propulsion systems. This Guidance builds upon the existing MSC.1/Circ.1687 and includes several proposed enhancements. Feedback collected through a survey and an online workshop has been integrated into the finalised document presented in Appendix A of this report. This feedback emphasises the necessity of a comprehensive understanding of ammonia’s properties to effectively mitigate the safety risks associated with its use as a marine fuel.
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Safety of Ammonia as Fuel on Ships
Language: English
Author: European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA)
Genre: Research paper
Format: PDF
Quality: eBook
Pages count: 140
Description: With ammonia-fuelled 2-stroke and 4-stroke propulsion engines, as well as genset engines, becoming commercially available, ammonia is gaining traction as a zero-carbon marine fuel with the potential to significantly advance the decarbonisation goals outlined in the 2023 International Maritime Organization (IMO) Green House Gas (GHG) reduction strategy. As a carbon-free substance, ammonia offers nearzero emissions on a tank-to-wake basis and, when produced sustainably, can achieve similar results on a well-to-wake basis. Ammonia can be stored as a liquid at moderate pressures or at -33°C. These conditions are far less demanding than the cryogenic requirements for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) or hydrogen. Thus, it could become a viable long-term solution. However, its adoption introduces substantial safety and operational challenges, including toxicity, corrosiveness, and the need for specialised fuel systems and engine designs. Addressing these risks through robust safety protocols, regulatory frameworks, and crew training is essential to ensure the safe and effective integration of ammonia into marine propulsion systems.
This Guidance builds upon the existing MSC.1/Circ.1687 and includes several proposed enhancements. Feedback collected through a survey and an online workshop has been integrated into the finalised document presented in Appendix A of this report. This feedback emphasises the necessity of a comprehensive understanding of ammonia’s properties to effectively mitigate the safety risks associated with its use as a marine fuel.
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EMSA NH3SAFE FINAL REPORT.pdf
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