Ammonia

DNV outlines recommendations for safe use of ammonia as a marine fuel

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

Published

1 year ago

May 8, 2025

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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.

Photo credit: Venti Views on Unsplash
Published: 8 May, 2025

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Ammonia

AM Green plans to build green ammonia plant at Indian port

Initiative also includes development of green ammonia handling, storage and bunkering infrastructure, pilot bunkering operations, safety procedures and training programmes, says VOC Port Authority.

Published

1 day ago

June 3, 2026

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VO Chidambaranar (VOC) Port Authority on Friday (29 May) said it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India’s ammonia producer AM Green Ammonia to collaborate in the development of a green ammonia production plant.

The plant will have a capacity of one million tonnes per annum (MTPA) at Tuticorin.

The initiative also includes development of green ammonia handling, storage and bunkering infrastructure, pilot bunkering operations, safety procedures and training programmes.

The project is expected to support the development of green fuel corridors connecting VOC Port with major ports in Europe and Asia, thereby strengthening India’s position in the global green fuels value chain.

VOC Port also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bureau Veritas (India) Pvt. Ltd., to collaborate on Green Port certification, emissions accounting, ESG reporting, safety validation, development of green bunkering practices, and establishment of a Centre of Excellence for green fuels and sustainability.

The port also plans for an upcoming 750 m³ green methanol bunkering facility.

Photo credit: Naveed Ahmed on Unsplash
Published: 3 June, 2026

Alternative Fuels

DNV on IMO MSC 111: Interim guidelines for using hydrogen, ammonia as marine fuels approved

Highlights of IMO’s MSC 111 include approved interim guidelines for ships using hydrogen and ammonia cargo as fuels as well as endorsed work plans to address regulatory safety barriers to alternative fuels.

Published

1 week ago

May 26, 2026

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Classification society DNV on Saturday (2 May) released technical and regulatory news on the highlights of IMO’s MSC 111 including approved interim guidelines for ships using hydrogen and ammonia cargo as marine fuels as well as endorsed work plans to address regulatory safety barriers to alternative fuels and new technologies.

The following are excerpts of the article:

The 111th session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 111) was held from 13 to 22 May 2026. The adoption of a new goal-based Code for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) marks a key milestone in the IMO’s work to ensure that the regulatory framework keeps pace with the rapid development of shipping technologies. MSC 111 also approved revised Explanatory Notes for the Safe Return to Port concept for passenger ships, as well as draft amendments to the IGC Code for gas carriers to incorporate a decade of Unified Interpretations, turning operational experience into clearer and more consistent requirements.

Training for seafarers on alternative fuels and new technologies

MSC 111 approved new “Interim guidelines on training for seafarers on ships using methyl/ethyl alcohol as fuel”, as well as new “Interim guidelines on training for seafarers on ships using amm onia as fuel”.

The fuel-specific guidelines support the generic “Interim guidelines on training for seafarers on ships using alternative fuels and new technologies to support the reduction of GHG emissions from international shipping” (STCW. 7/Circ.25),which were approved by MSC 110 in 2025.

MSC 111 further endorsed the work plan for the further development of training provisions for seafarers on ships using alternative fuels and new technologies.

Ships using hydrogen as fuel

MSC 111 approved “Interim using hydrogen as fuel” guidelines for the safety of ships

Ships using ammonia cargo as fuel

MSC 111 approved “Interim guidelines for use of ammonia cargo as fuel on gas carriers”. These guidelines aim to support the safe handling of ammonia as fuel, with main focus on areas outside the cargo areas to ensure safety for the crew and ship.

IGC Code – ships carrying gases or low flashpoint fuels

MSC 111 approved draft amendments to the IGC Code to incorporate the large number of Unified Interpretations (UIs) developed since the latest major review of the code, which entered into force in 2016. The primary objective of the draft amendments is to remove ambiguity and promote the consistent implementation of the IGC Code requirements.

The draft amendments to the IGC Code are expected to enter into force on 1 July 2028, subject to adoption by MSC 112 (December 2026).

The draft amendments to the IGC Code will apply to ships constructed on or after 1 July 2028, i.e. ships:

for which the building contract is placed on or after 1 July 2028; or in the absence of a building contract, the keels of which are laid or which are at a similar stage of construction on or after 1 January 2029; or the delivery of which is on or after 1 July 2032.

Draft amendments to the model form of the International Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Liquefied Gases in Bulk in Appendix 2 of the IGC Code were approved to reflect the three-date application provision.

The following MSC Circulars, containing UIs to the IGC Code, are expected to be suspended upon adoption and entry into force of the IGC Code amendments:

MSC.1/Circ.1543, MSC.1/Circ.1559, MSC.1/Circ.1590,
MSC.1/Circ.1606, MSC.1/Circ.1617, MSC.1/Circ.1625,
MSC.1/Circ.1651, MSC.1/Circ.1669 and MSC.1/Circ.1679.

Note: The full article can be found here.

Photo credit: Venti Views on Unsplash
Published: 26 May, 2026

Ammonia

Singapore authorises ITOCHU subsidiary to conduct ammonia bunkering trials

ITOCHU plans to conduct demonstration trials in collaboration with MOL, supplying ammonia fuel to dual-fuel Capesize bulkers within the port of Singapore during the last quarter of 2027.

Published

2 weeks ago

May 22, 2026

Admin

ITOCHU orders world’s first ammonia bunkering vessel for Singapore demonstration project

ITOCHU Corporation (ITOCHU) on Wednesday (20 May) announced that the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has granted authorisation to ZETA Bunkering Pte Ltd (ZETA), a wholly owned subsidiary of ITOCHU, to conduct ammonia bunkering trials in Singapore.

The authorisation was granted following MPA’s review of ZETA’s submissions, which included comprehensive safety studies, risk assessments, and business plans for ammonia bunkering in Singapore.

The ammonia bunkering trials to be conducted under this authorisation will serve to verify the technical readiness, operational protocols, infrastructure, and technologies, to assess and inform the development of safe and environmentally sustainable ammonia bunkering practices in Singapore. The authorisation was issued on 27 April and will become effective on 15 May for a trial period up to two years subject to MPA’s prevailing regulatory framework.

In June 2025, as part of ITOCHU’s integrated project for developing and owning of ammonia-fuelled vessels and the establishment of a global supply chain for ammonia as marine fuel, ITOCHU placed an order for the world’s first newbuilding ammonia bunker vessel, through Clean Ammonia Bunkering Shipping Pte Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of ITOCHU. The vessel is being constructed by Sasaki Shipbuilding, will be flagged under the Singapore Registry of Shipping and is expected to be delivered in September 2027.

The authorisation will accelerate ITOCHU’s initiatives to decarbonise international shipping. Specifically, ITOCHU plans to conduct demonstration trials in collaboration with Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL), supplying ammonia fuel from the ammonia bunker vessel to dual-fuel Capesize bulkers, jointly owned by CMB.TECH NV (Belgium) and MOL, and chartered by MOL, within the port of Singapore during the last quarter of 2027, subject to the relevant regulatory approvals.

Through these demonstrations and subsequent ammonia bunkering trial operations under the authorisation, ITOCHU will work closely with MPA and other maritime stakeholders to develop infrastructure, technologies, and operational standards for ammonia bunkering that prioritise safety and environmental sustainability. ITOCHU will also formulate detailed implementation plans, conduct risk assessments, and establish emergency response measures, ensuring that safety and environmental protection remain paramount.

These trials will enable ITOCHU to establish safe and sustainable ship-to-ship bunkering operations using ammonia as marine fuel, with the aim of commercialising the ammonia bunkering business in Singapore and at major maritime hubs worldwide.

Photo credit: ITOCHU Corporation
Published: 22 May, 2026