DNV on IMO CCC 10: Interim guidelines for ammonia and hydrogen as bunker fuel

Classification society DNV on Tuesday (24 September) released a statutory news on the 10th session of the IMO Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (CCC 10). The following are excerpts from the update related to bunker fuel:

The 10th session of the IMO Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (CCC 10) was held from 16 to 20 September 2024. CCC 10 agreed on interim guidelines for use of ammonia as fuel, completed the review of the IGC Code, and revised recommendations on entering enclosed spaces.

• Meeting highlights
• Finalized work on interim guidelines for use of ammonia as fuel.
• Continued work on interim guidelines for use of hydrogen as fuel and on interim guidelines for use of low-flashpoint fuels.
• Completed review of the IGC Code.
• Worked on amendments to the IMSBC and IMDG Codes.
• Completed revised recommendations for entering enclosed spaces aboard ships.
• Agreed on a work plan to address loss of containers at sea.

Amendments to the IGF Code and development of guidelines for alternative fuels and related technologies

CCC 10 finalized interim guidelines for the safety of ships using ammonia as fuel. The guidelines include functional requirements for all sections. Due to time constraints, detailed provisions could only be developed for parts of the guidelines. For the remaining parts the principles of the IGF Code should be taken into consideration. 

CCC 10 also continued work on the interim guidelines for the safety of ships using hydrogen as fuel, agreeing on functional requirements for all sections of the guidelines, and on certain fundamental design principles. Work on the interim guidelines will continue in a Correspondence Group aiming for finalization in 2025. 

The interim guidelines for use of oil fuels with a flashpoint between 52°C and 60°C as fuel were not discussed, but work will, if time permits, continue in a Correspondence Group reporting to CCC 11 in 2025.  

Proposals for amendments and Unified Interpretations to the IGF Code were not considered in detail at CCC 10. They will be discussed by a Correspondence Group and further considered at CCC 11 in 2025.

Review of the IGC Code

A Correspondence Group may be established, pending a decision by MSC, to consider the development of interim guidelines for the use of ammonia cargo as fuel. 

The complete amendment proposal will be further considered by MSC 109 in 2024, aiming for adoption in 2025 and entry into force on 1 January 2028.

Recommendations

DNV recommends that customers note the development of interim guidelines for use of ammonia as fuel, as well as the completed review of the IGC Code. 

As CCC is a Sub-Committee, all decisions concerning rules, regulations and dates are subject to further consideration and approval by the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC).

Note: The full statutory news can be found here.

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Published: 27 September, 2024