Ammonia Safety

The implementation of alternatives to conventional fossil-based fuels is key to the decarbonization of the global shipping industry. Ammonia is one of the promising fuels for zero-emissions ocean transport. However, using ammonia as a shipping fuel involves safety hazards: primarily toxicity, but also combustible and flammability risks in confined spaces where sufficient oxygen is present. Therefore, it is crucial to understand these risks and the safeguards that can be implemented to mitigate them.

At MMMCZCS, we have pioneered an innovative multi-disciplinary approach to assess and address the ammonia-related onboard safety risks to a ship’s crew. This project is a collaboration with the Lloyd’s Register Maritime Decarbonization Hub (MDH), with contributions from other partners.

There are several initiatives in the industry developing bunkering standards for ammonia. However, lack of coordination among these work streams and lack of alignment of knowledge creates a risk that competing standards may be developed. This would lead to an increase in complexity and potentially interface cost, as well as a delay in the implementation of ammonia as maritime fuel.

On this topic, MMMCZCS has contributed to the development of a unified set of bunkering guidelines in collaboration with SGMF. The Ammonia as a Marine Fuel: Safety & Operational Guidelines – Bunkering publication was published October 2024 and is a key resource in making ammonia a practical and safe option for marine fuel.

MMMCZCS undertaken a survey of over 2,000 respondents across the maritime community to better understand their perceptions, concerns, and requests relating to ammonia as a marine fuel. The survey reached respondents covering a range of different ages, positions, vessel segments, and level of experience with gaseous fuels or ammonia as cargo. Over half (58.6%) of the total respondents agreed that they would be willing to sail on or work with ammonia-fueled vessels, while 24% were unsure and 12% reported that they would not be willing. More specifically, 59% of seafarers and 57% of ashore personnel who responded to the survey agreed that they would be willing to work with ammonia.

While more than half of the respondents were willing to sail on or work with ammonia-fueled vessels, these respondents nevertheless raised some specific concerns, especially regarding training and safety.

To guide the regulatory process around developing interim guidelines of ammonia as a fuel, the MMMCZCS mapped the technical solutions available to prevent and mitigate risks of handling ammonia onboard highlighting options for inherently safer ship designs.

MMMCZCS is involved in a number of projects leading to ammonia trials, including:

• MAGPIE
  The project consists of several individual tasks the center has committed to deliver in the EU funded MAGPIE project led by the Port of Rotterdam (PoR). The overall project management responsibility is managed by PoR and it consists of approximately 50 consortium members from across the EU. Read more about the project MAGPIE here.
  
  
• Singapore Ammonia Bunkering feasibility study
  Technical and commercial feasibility study using preliminary design and subsequent maturing of the feasibility towards supply chain final investment decisions including the ordering of ammonia bunkers and bunkering standards. Read more about the project SABRE: Singapore Ammonia Bunkering feasibility study here.
  
  
• Savannah Ammonia Bunkering feasibility study
  Expansion of the work and knowledge from the Singapore based ammonia project “SABRE”. MMMCZCS is part of a consortium of partners looking to develop bunkering infrastructure for ammonia on the US east coast.