Classification society DNV on Tuesday (3 March) released a statutory news on the highlights of IMO’s SSE 12 including establishing a work plan for the development of a safety regulatory framework to support the reduction of GHG emissions from ships using new technologies and alternative fuels, including work on interim guidelines for ships using battery energy storage systems.
The following are excerpts from the news related to new technologies and alternative marine fuels:
NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND ALTERNATIVE FUELS
The Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) has considered potential alternative fuels and new technologies to support the reduction of greenhouse (GHG) emissions from ships from a safety perspective, and has identified safety obstacles, barriers and gaps in the current IMO instruments that may hinder their use. Related recommendations to support the possible safe use of these new fuels and technologies have been assigned to the relevant Sub-Committees.
SSE 12 considered the recommendations from MSC 110 and prepared work plans for the development of a safety regulatory framework to support the safe uptake of new technologies and alternative fuels.
Battery energy storage technologies
SSE 12 agreed to initiate the development of technology-neutral and goal-based interim guidelines for the safety of ships using battery energy storage systems.
The work will continue in a Correspondence Group, which will submit its report to the Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Construction (SDC 13) in May 2027, noting that SDC has already been tasked to draft amendments to SOLAS Regulation II-1/41 to allow batteries to be used as the main source of electrical power and for lighting systems.
The work is targeted for completion in 2028.
The work plan for SSE includes the following technologies and potential deliverables, subject to initiatives to progress the work:
Ships using methyl/ethyl alcohol as fuel
- Draft amendments to the FSS Code to include test provisions for alcohol fires in relation to ships using methyl/ethyl alcohol as fuel
- Any draft amendments are targeting entry into force on 1 January 2032.
Fischer-Topsch (FT) diesel fuel
- Draft amendments to SOLAS Chapter II-2 and the “Guidelines for measures to prevent fires in engine-rooms and cargo pump-rooms” (MSC.1/Circ.1321) to include safety provisions addressing the risk posed by Fischer-Topsch (FT) diesel fuel
- Any draft amendments are targeting entry into force on 1 January 2036.
Advanced waste heat recovery systems
- Development of interim guidelines on safety requirements for advanced waste heat recovery systems
- Any interim guidelines are targeting approval by 2030.
The work plan for battery energy storage systems will be submitted to MSC 111 (May 2026) for endorsement, while the work plan for the remaining technologies will be submitted to MSC 112 (December 2026).
Note: The full statutory news by DNV on SSE 12 can be read here.
Photo credit: CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash
Published: 16 March, 2026
