ClassNK, DNV, Lloyd’s Register and the American Bureau of Shipping have all released new resources to support the implementation of marine ammonia fuel. We explore vessel operation guidelines and best-practice recommendations, seafarer training programs, and models for ammonia leak dispersion onboard vessels.
The UK’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency has set out timelines and processes for operators of ammonia-fueled vessels to engage with authorities in preparation for operations in UK waters. Ammonia fuel is included in the Department of Transport’s first-ever Maritime Decarbonisation Strategy, with as much as 70% of the forecast fuel mix being ammonia by 2050.
The regulations send a clear signal to industry – business as usual operations will become significantly more expensive, and zero or near-zero (ZNZ) technologies and fuels represent one of the better opportunities to make deep emissions cuts. Following the historic vote at the IMO, we explore critical timelines for the new regulations, compliance thresholds, mechanisms for vessels to comply, and uncertainties that remain.
Facilitated by the Port of Rotterdam, Trammo, OCI, James Fisher Fendercare successfully completed a ship-to-ship transfer of ammonia between two vessels berthed at APM Terminals Maasvlakte earlier this month. The successful pilot raises the Port of Rotterdam’s “Port Readiness Level” for marine ammonia fuel to the deployment phase.
At Singapore Maritime Week, Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore and Australia’s national science agency CSIRO announced funding for eight maritime decarbonization projects, including ammonia safety training, and an AI-based safety management system. MPA also signed agreements with ABS, the Ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp-Brugges, and confirmed it has contributed to early work on training guidelines for the safe handling of methanol and ammonia at the IMO.
Already in 2025, we have seen multiple initiatives launched and resources released to contribute to seafarer training ahead of the first ammonia-fueled vessels. Here, we explore the IMO’s first training guidelines, a new bunker training facility in India, and a safe procedures manual for ammonia bunkering developed by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners.
North Ammonia and Fjord Base Holding will develop a renewable ammonia production facility at the Fjord Base maritime logistics hub in Florø, Norway. Yara and Azane have already received safety approvals to construct their first ammonia bunker facility at Fjord Base, consisting of one of Azane’s floating ammonia bunker barges.
COSCO Shipping reports that successful truck-to-ship ammonia bunkering of its retrofitted tugboat Yuantuo 1 took place in Dalian last December, performed by one of China’s largest bunker providers.
A new round of Norwegian government funding has awarded a total of $68 million to a series of ammonia-fueled vessel projects, including a replacement freighter to service a key cargo and postal route to Svalbard, platform supply vessels, and the bunkering/distribution vessel MS Green Ammonia.
The marine action plan urges the federal government to prioritize the implementation of electrolytic ammonia and methanol fuel in ocean-going vessels by 2050. A detailed action roadmap is presented, including infrastructure deployment, retrofits and upgrades to existing vessels.