SGMF and GCMD Collaborate to Create Ammonia Guidelines

The Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) and the Society for Gas as a Marine Fuel (SGMF) have entered into a 2-year Coalition Partnership agreement to develop guidelines for the use of ammonia as a marine fuel. Ammonia is seen as a promising alternative fuel for the maritime industry, and this collaboration aims to bring its adoption closer. SGMF is known for its guidelines on LNG bunkering, which are widely referenced by ports and users of LNG as a marine fuel. The partnership will leverage the knowledge gained from GCMD’s ammonia bunkering safety study, which identified and assessed over 400 potential risks associated with ammonia bunkering. The study found that these risks can be managed with mitigation measures. The findings from the study will support SGMF in developing guidelines for the safe use of ammonia as a marine fuel.

Professor Lynn Loo, CEO of GCMD, expressed confidence in jointly contributing to the development of international standards for safe ammonia bunkering. While ammonia vessels are not expected to be on water until 2026, preparations need to be made for ammonia bunkering in the meantime. GCMD’s upcoming ship-to-ship ammonia transfer pilots in port waters will provide further insights to enhance ammonia bunkering safety guidelines. Mark Bell, COO of SGMF, emphasized the organization’s commitment to prioritizing safety for the use of all low flashpoint fuels under the IGF code, not just LNG.

Overall, this partnership between GCMD and SGMF aims to shape standards and develop guidelines for the safe use of ammonia as a marine fuel. The collaboration will leverage the findings from GCMD’s ammonia bunkering safety study and upcoming ship-to-ship ammonia transfer pilots to enhance safety guidelines.

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