Classification society ClassNK on Tuesday (18 August) said it has revised the safety requirements within its guidelines for ships using methanol, ethanol and hydrogen as marine fuels. 

In Part D of the guidelines, covering hydrogen-fuelled ships, the revision incorporates the Interim Guidelines for the Safety of Ships Using Hydrogen as Fuel (MSC.1/Circ.1701) issued by the IMO this year, and additionally introduces a hydrogen leak frequency table that can be used for the safety assessments required under the IMO guidelines. 

In Part A, covering methanol and ethanol-fuelled ships, new structural strength requirements for methanol/ethanol fuel tanks—which are not addressed in the IMO guidelines—have been established. 

“Through this revision, shipyards, designers, and shipowners can carry out design and safety assessments in line with the latest international standards, and by utilizing ClassNK’s own leak frequency estimates and the relevant requirements, they can proceed the development of alternative-fuelled ships in a more rationally,” ClassNK said in a statement. 

As the building of alternative-fuelled ships advances in response to the global challenge of reducing GHG emissions, ClassNK has comprehensively compiled the safety requirements for ships using methanol, ethanol, LPG, ammonia, and hydrogen—fuels regarded as promising alternatives—and has issued the guidelines. 

“Taking into account the risks that the use of alternative fuels poses to the environment, seafarers, and ships, the guidelines set out requirements for equipment, controls, and safety devices to minimize such risks,” it added. 

With the issuance of the IMO guidelines for hydrogen-fueled ships (MSC.1/Circ.1701), ClassNK said it has fully incorporated the IMO guidelines to make the guidelines more user-friendly for shipyards, designers, and shipowners, while also enhancing the requirements serving as design and assessment guidance for other alternative fuels. 

In the development of the IMO guidelines, now reflected in Part D, ClassNK participated as a member of the Japanese delegation to the IMO Sub-Committee CCC 11 and contributed to the discussions.

Note: The Guidelines for Ships Using Alternative Fuels (Edition 3.1)  can be viewed under “Guidelines” on My Page by registering as a user on the ClassNK website. 

Photo credit: Venti Views on Unsplash
Published: 20 August, 2026

French shipping giant CMA CGM on Tuesday (18 August) said its 13,000 TEU dual‑fuel containership completed the world’s largest single-batch biomethanol bunkering operation at Shanghai Port.

CMA CGM OSMIUM was supplied with 8,016 metric tonnes (mt) of biomethanol in a single operation.

“This volume is enough to cover the vessel’s entire voyage from Shanghai to the East Coast of South America, with an estimated emissions reduction equivalent to 10,000 tonnes of CO₂,” the company said in a social media post. 

Carried out in partnership with Shanghai Electric Group Co Ltd and Shanghai International Port (Group) Co Ltd, CMA CGM said the operation demonstrates the potential of biomethanol for large-scale maritime applications and contributes to the development of lower-carbon fuel solutions for shipping.

Manifold Times previously reported SIPG Energy (Shanghai) Co Ltd (SIPG Energy) completing what it described as China’s first simultaneous two-vessel bunkering operation involving two different green marine fuels at anchorage, supplying LNG and bio-methanol to two vessels.

The company’s LNG bunkering vessel Hai Gang Wei Lai supplied LNG to PIL’s KOTA ELAN, while methanol bunkering vessel Hai Gang Zhi Yuan supplied domestically produced biomass-based methanol to CMA CGM’s dual-fuel container ship CMA CGM OSMIUM.

Related: China: SIPG Energy completes first simultaneous two-vessel, two-fuel green bunkering operation

Photo credit: CMA CGM
Published: 19 August, 2026

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has released ISO 22120:2026 which provides requirements for methanol bunkering transfer systems and equipment used to bunker methanol-fuelled vessels.

The document covers transfer systems, operational procedures, risk assessment, safety protection and personnel training.

According to the introduction, the document has been produced to meet an industry need for additional safety guidance related to the use of alternative fuels on board ships, as identified by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

“Due to numerous economic and environmental factors, the use of methanol as a vessel’s fuel has increased,” it said.

“The increase in methanol-fuelled vessels corresponds to an increase in methanol bunkering operations. Therefore, there is a need to standardize methanol bunkering operations internationally to a reasonable degree, so that vessel operators have the tools to select vessel fuel providers who meet set safety standards and so that methanol bunkering operations can be conducted safely.

“This document can be used for vessels involved in both international and domestic service, regardless of size.”

Note: The ISO 22120:2026 – Specification for bunkering of methanol fuelled vessels can be purchased here. 

Photo credit: william william on Unsplash
Published: 19 August, 2026