The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has approved new safety guidelines for the use of ammonia as a marine fuel, with the decision taken at the Maritime Safety Committee’s 111th session (MSC 111) marking a concrete step towards the commercial deployment of ammonia-fuelled vessels.
The guidelines were developed jointly by Lloyd’s Register (LR), the Belgian Federal Public Service Mobility and Transport (FPS Mobility) and gas shipping operator EXMAR, drawing on operational experience and regulatory expertise to produce a practical framework for managing ammonia’s on-board risks.
Chief among these are its toxicity and the specific handling requirements that distinguish it from other alternative fuels.
The Directorate-General Shipping of FPS Mobility led the drafting process at the IMO, building on EXMAR’s and Lloyd’s Register’s combined experience in mid-size gas carrier construction.
The result is guidance grounded in real-world practice, designed to support early ammonia projects as they move towards execution while maintaining robust safeguards.
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The approval is expected to reduce regulatory uncertainty for shipowners and naval architects evaluating ammonia as a future fuel, coming at a critical moment as the first vessels designed to run on ammonia approach entry into service.
Liam Blackmore, Global Head of Technology Adoption and Integration, Lloyd’s Register, said: “The approval of these guidelines provides a clear signal that ammonia is moving from concept to a fuel with an emerging international safety framework. It demonstrates how close collaboration between industry, flag administrations and technical organisations can accelerate the safe adoption of new fuels at scale.
“Being part of this collaboration reinforces our role as a trusted advisor helping to turn ambition into practical, scalable solutions for the maritime energy transition.”
Nathalie Deleuze, FPS Mobility’s Maritime Expert in Alternative Fuels, stated: “As a public authority, we want to facilitate the energy transition by ensuring that an appropriate regulatory framework is in place in good time. Thanks to close cooperation with the industry, this framework is also tailored to the realities on the ground.”
For more information:
International Maritime Organization – https://www.imo.org/en
