CIMAC representative highlights urgency of crew training for new bunker fuels

Philippe Lecloux, Council member of CIMAC, an association that speaks for the global interests of power, drive and propulsion industries, stressed the urgency of seafarer training for new marine fuels during a presentation to delegates at Poly Marina Singapore Polytechnic on 14 July.

Lecloux, a Marine Chief Engineer who represents Aderco Pte Ltd at CIMAC, believed the future is already here as most new vessels on the order books are being built ‘future-ready’.

During his presentation CIMAC: Perspective of the Ship Propulsion Industry to members of the Singapore maritime sector and International Maritime Organization (IMO), Lecloux pointed out the 2024 orderbook recorded 515 newbuilding vessels capable of burning alternative marine fuels.

Separated into bunker fuel type, these included vessels are:

• LNG: 264 ships (51–52% of alt-fuel orders)
• Methanol: 166 ships (32%)
• Ammonia: 27 ships (5%)
• Hydrogen: 7 ships (1%)
• Others – LPG, etc…

The increased orders for alternatively powered newbuildings signify shipping’s positive stance towards decarbonisation but also brings upon new adoption challenges for the industry.

“New marine fuels also introduce new significant dangers, such as extremely acute toxicity as seen in ammonia and enormous flammability in the case of methanol where flames may even be invisible,” Lecloux informed.

He shared a table summarising the risks by each alternative bunker fuel type.

“This highlights the critical need for serious training to prevent incidents and ensure the safety of the vessel, crew, and the environment,” he said.

“Training is required not only for seafarers but for all personnel involved, including office staff who provide guidance, harbour operators, and those involved in bunkering operations, due to critical safety regulations.”

Lecloux noted there is no need to “reinvent the wheel” as existing frameworks such as the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) and International Code of Safety for Ships Using Gases or Other Low-flashpoint Fuels (IGF) code can be adapted to educate seafarers about these new fuels.

“A consensus exists for a two-tiered approach: a generic basic training for everyone, and an advanced, role-specific training tailored to an individual’s ranking and task specification, such as the distinct training required for a chief engineer compared to a cook,” he explained.

“Ship-specific information packages supplemented by ship-specific familiarisation delivered by classification societies, companies, and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are also crucial, especially for engineers and others involved in bunkering.”

Moving forward, Lecloux said organisations like CIMAC, as advisors to the IMO, is committed to provide technical guidelines and share information from engine makers to support industry collaboration and information sharing between stakeholders.

“Aderco is very proud and convinced that we can help the shipping industry by being part of an organisation like CIMAC,” he expressed.

Photo credit: Aderco
Published: 6 August 2025