Safety of ammonia on board

Ammonia is heavily discussed as an alternative fuel to be used in shipping. The advantage of using ammonia as fuel is the already existing methods for producing "green" ammonia and ammonia does not release carbon dioxide upon combustion. Ammonia as fuel in shipping could contribute to reducing green house gas emissions from shipping. However, there are certain risks with ammonia. Ammonia is highly corrosive and toxic. Upon exposure, it may cause severe damage if ingested or comes into contact with skin or eyes. Inhaling ammonia gas can cause permanent damage to lungs and other mocous membranes.

The purpose of this pre-study is to examine potential barriers surrounding the introduction of ammonia as ship fuel, focusing on technical and operational safety aspects. The project's goal is to deepen the understanding of ammonia's potential as a ship fuel from a safety perspective. Furthermore the project wish to set ground for the industry's overarching goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in shipping.

In order to ensure relevance and broad industry involvement, the pre-study is conducted in collaboration with a diverse reference group of relevant stakeholders within the industry. Input from stakeholders (such as crew members, response units, ship and propulsion manufacturers, ship operators, classification societies, and government authorities) will be collected in a workshop format.

If you have an interest of participating in upcoming workshops, please contact the coordinator for further information."