Classification society DNV on Tuesday (6 May) released its recommended practice, developed with industry leaders, providing the guidance shipowners, operators and training institutions need to build ammonia-specific competence on board.

DNV and industry experts shared key learnings from other sectors, along with the procedures and measures needed to ensure the safe operation of ammonia-fuelled vessels through the right competence:

Low-emission ammonia is increasingly recognized as a viable alternative fuel with significant potential in helping the maritime industry decarbonize. Unlike conventional fuels, it has distinct characteristics that necessitate specific handling and safety protocols. However, with proper training and a well-established safety culture its use can be effectively managed.

“Ammonia is a chemical that deserves respect but should not be feared. This starts with a clear understanding of the hazard profile,” says Laurent Ruhlmann, HESQ Vice President, Yara Clean Ammonia. The company handles 20% of all globally traded ammonia, produces more than eight million tonnes of ammonia per year, and has a history of producing ammonia dating back to 1927.  

Bridging the ammonia competence gap in maritime

“There is a lot of experience from handling ammonia on land for decades that can be easily ported over to the maritime world to help it meet the upcoming decarbonization targets,” Ruhlmann explains.

The maritime industry needs to embrace viable alternative fuels to successfully decarbonize. However, despite three ammonia-fuelled vessels already in operation and more than 30 currently on order (according to DNV’s Alternative Fuels Insight platform), specific training programmes for its safe handling as a marine fuel have been relatively slow to develop. This has created a growing competence gap, as existing training frameworks for alternative fuels like LNG do not adequately address the distinct properties and handling requirements of ammonia.

Maritime stakeholders shape ammonia safety practice

“Alternative fuel guidelines provide a strong foundation for safe adoption and handling, but ammonia requires a dedicated framework and strategy tailored to its specific properties,” says Erlend Erstad, Senior Consultant, Safety, Risk & Reliability at DNV Maritime Advisory. Together with industry partners, DNV has developed a recommended practice (RP) to provide shipowners, operators and regulators with the structured approach needed to ensure competence readiness for ammonia-fuelled vessels.

“DNV’s RP assists shipowners and training institutions as they develop new marine fuel programmes based on its guidance and with input to reviewed safety protocols, risk assessment frameworks and crew training requirements. It was developed with input from a number of key stakeholders including Amon Maritime, Azane Fuel Solutions, Yara Clean Ammonia, Wärtsilä, Kongsberg Maritime and Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement/Ula Ship Management. This provided us with rounded and comprehensive best practice,” says Erstad, highlighting the benefits of close industry collaborations.

Learning from Yara’s leadership in ammonia safety

Yara Clean Ammonia was a key contributor to the RP’s development and has a strong safety culture. As a leader in ammonia production and handling, the company has decades of experience producing and transporting ammonia and operates the largest global ammonia network, with 15 vessels and access to 18 terminals worldwide.

Yara Clean Ammonia has already taken a final investment decision on Yara Eyde, which will be the world’s first ammonia-fuelled container vessel. The ship will transport goods between the Oslofjord area and other parts of northern Europe. Sixty per cent of the cargo will be Yara’s fertilizer products, thereby helping to reduce scope 3 emissions for Yara International.

“Yara Clean Ammonia’s extensive experience with the worldwide ammonia trade has helped shape the RP’s recommendations, particularly those regarding handling protocols, emergency response and risk assessment,” reports Kirsten Strømsnes, Business Development Leader at DNV Maritime Advisory. 

“The development of alternative fuels to replace heavy fuel oil (HFO) has been ongoing for decades, particularly since the adoption of gaseous fuels like liquefied natural gas (LNG). This extensive experience, along with insights from other industries such as Yara, gives the shipping industry an advantage in managing the safe use of ammonia as a fuel.”

Note: The full article by DNV on ‘Managing the safe use of ammonia as a marine fuel’ can be found here. 

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Published: 8 May, 2025