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Ammonia

New report calls for standardised approach to Safe Havens on ammonia-fuelled ships

The Decarb Hub report identifies an opportunity to build a shared, evidence-based approach to Safe Havens as the industry applies new regulatory requirements to ammonia-fuelled vessels.
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Lloyd’s Register Maritime Decarbonisation Hub (The Decarb Hub) on Thursday (30 July) called for a standardised approach to the design and assessment of Safe Havens on ammonia-fuelled vessels, highlighting that inconsistent interpretations of emerging regulatory requirements could result in differing safety outcomes across the future ammonia fleet.

This is set out in a new report, ‘Safe Havens for ammonia-fuelled ships’, which examines how the maritime sector can apply lessons from offshore oil and gas, chemical processing and other safety-critical industries to address a new requirement introduced under the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Interim Guidelines for the Safety of Ships using Ammonia as Fuel. The new guidelines now require vessels to incorporate Safe Havens to protect crew in the event of an ammonia release.

However, the report highlights that, as is often the case with interim, goal-based guidance for a new safety concept, the guidelines set high-level requirements that leave room for differing interpretations of what makes an effective Safe Haven. It proposes a shared framework to help vessel designers, operators, classification societies and flag administrations apply these requirements consistently as ammonia-fuelled vessels enter service.

The Decarb’s Hub research found that Safe Havens should not be viewed as standalone spaces designed solely to prevent ammonia exposure. Instead, they should be treated as human-centred systems that form part of a vessel’s wider emergency response strategy.

The report identifies three core functions that every maritime Safe Haven should provide: protection, command and control, and accessibility. Together they are intended to ensure that all crew remain protected from ammonia and other hazards, while enabling the execution of the vessel’s emergency response plan.

Drawing on established practices from industries that routinely manage toxic gas hazards, the report recommends that Safe Haven performance is assessed against realistic worst-case scenarios. It also highlights the importance of calculating Safe Haven endurance periods, assessing accessibility, regular testing and maintenance and human factors considerations to ensure systems continue to perform as intended throughout a vessel’s operational life.

The report concludes that the industry should focus on developing standardised methods for demonstrating Safe Haven performance. Establishing a consistent basis for assessment will help ensure Safe Havens deliver the intended level of protection across the future ammonia-fuelled fleet while supporting regulatory certainty and long-term operational confidence.

Jonathan Bolton, Decarbonisation Risk Analyst at the Lloyd’s Register Maritime Decarbonisation Hub, said: “Ammonia has the potential to play an important role in shipping’s decarbonisation journey, but its adoption must be supported by safety solutions that are robust, practical and consistently applied. Safe Havens are a new requirement for ammonia-fuelled ships and as with any new safety concept, the industry needs practical guidance to build a shared understanding of how Safe Havens should be designed and assessed.

“Our report brings together decades of experience from industries that have long managed toxic gas risks and translates those lessons into a maritime context. By identifying the critical functions that Safe Havens must perform and proposing a common framework for their assessment, we hope to support designers, operators, classification societies and regulators as they work towards the safe deployment of ammonia-fuelled vessels.”

The findings are intended to support shipowners, designers, regulators and classification societies as they develop the first generation of ammonia-fuelled vessels and contribute to the long-term evolution of international regulations governing ammonia safety. 

Note: A copy of the report can be downloaded at Safe Havens for ammonia-fuelled ships. 

 

Photo credit: william william on Unsplash
Published: 31 July, 2026

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Alternative Fuels

Singapore: Bunker fuel sales down by 4% on year in August 2026

4.77 million metric tonnes of various marine fuel grades were delivered at the world’s largest bunkering port in August, up from 4.97 million mt recorded during the similar month in 2025, according to MPA.

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September 15, 2026

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Singapore: Bunker fuel sales down by 4% on year in August 2026

Sales of marine fuel at Singapore port fell by 4% on year in August 2026, according to data from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).

In total, 4.77 million metric tonnes (mt) (exact 4,772,700 mt) of various marine fuel grades were delivered at the world’s largest bunkering port in August, up from 4.97 million mt (4,965,300 mt) recorded during the similar month in 2025.

Deliveries of marine fuel oil, low sulphur fuel oil, ultra low sulphur fuel oil, marine gas oil and marine diesel oil in August (against on year) recorded respectively 2.1 million mt (11.1% from 1.89 million mt), 2.19 million mt (-12.4% from 2.50 million mt), zero (from zero), zero (-100% from 1,800 mt) and zero (from zero).

Bunker Sales

Bio-blended variants of marine fuel oil, low sulphur fuel oil, ultra low sulphur fuel oil, marine gas oil and marine diesel oil in August, (against on year) recorded respectively 8,700 mt (-74.9% from 34,700 mt), 47,900 mt (-48.9% from 93,800 mt), zero (from zero), zero (from zero) and zero (from zero). B100 biofuel bunkers, introduced in February last year, recorded 800 mt (-83.3% from 4,800 mt). 

LNG and methanol sales were 58,600 mt (-12.5% from 67,000 mt) and zero (from zero) respectively. There were no recorded sales of ammonia for the month and so far since 2025.

 

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 15 September, 2026

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Ammonia

World’s first operational ammonia bunker vessel enters service following conversion

Vessel is now the world’s first operational ammonia bunker vessel and has received the first ammonia bunkering class certificate.
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September 15, 2026

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World’s first operational ammonia bunker vessel enters service following conversion

The world’s first operational ship-to-ship (STS) ammonia bunkering vessel has entered service following the conversion of a 5,500-cubic-metre liquefied gas carrier, Swedish ship designer FKAB Marine Design said on Thursday (10 September). 

The vessel is now the world’s first operational ammonia bunker vessel and has received the first ammonia bunkering class certificate.

FKAB said the achievement represents an important step in the development of the infrastructure needed to support ammonia as a marine fuel. 

While several ammonia bunker vessel projects have reached the design, feasibility or construction stage, the Shenghang Yongle has now progressed into operational readiness.

Jiangsu Andefu Energy Development led the conversion and certification process in close cooperation with China Classification Society, while FKAB together with cargo handling supplier Gloryholder prepared the technical drawing documentation required for the conversion.

The vessel can transport liquid ammonia and deliver it as a marine fuel through ship-to-ship bunkering. 

Originally designed as a flexible liquefied gas carrier, the vessel has been upgraded from a conventional ammonia carrier into a dual-purpose vessel capable of both transporting liquid ammonia and delivering it as fuel through ship-to-ship bunkering.

The overall work included modifications to the bunkering system, development of operating procedures, risk assessments, and the establishment of safety and emergency-response arrangements.

Particular attention was given to the challenges associated with ammonia, including toxicity, material compatibility, low-temperature operation, leak detection and risk control during bunkering.

 

Photo credit: FKAB Marine Design
Published: 15 September, 2026

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Ammonia

IMO technical seminar to focus on ammonia production, bunkering and safety

IMO announced its Future Fuels and Technology Project is organising a Technical Seminar on the use of ammonia as marine fuel on 17 September.

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September 14, 2026

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IMO

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) recently announced its Future Fuels and Technology (FFT) Project is organising a Technical Seminar on the use of ammonia as marine fuel on 17 September. 

The event will address developments in ammonia production for marine fuels, bunkering, onboard applications, engine technologies, spill response, safety considerations, ammonia effluents management and ongoing initiatives related to ammonia-fueled vessels.

The seminar will be held at IMO Headquarters in London and on IMO YouTube Channel. 

The event will take place in the margins of the Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (CCC 12) scheduled from 14-18 September 2026.

Sessions will include ammonia production pathways and supply outlook for shipping and infrastructure, developments in ammonia-fuelled vessels and onboard technologies as well as operational, spill response, safety and other considerations.

Note: Registration can be found here and is open until 15 September. Queries can be directed to [email protected].

 

Photo credit: International Maritime Organization
Published: 14 September, 2026

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