Among the broad spectrum of technologies and fuel solutions ship designers, builders, owners and operators, anhydrous ammonia (NH3) has been identified as a potential long-term fuel that could enter the market relatively quickly and offer a zero, or a near-zero, carbon solution (on a tank-to-wake basis and in some cases on a well-to-wake basis) irrespective of the origin of the fuel.
While there is little recent marine experience with using ammonia as a fuel – and some of the key machinery technologies (such as engines) are under development – extensive land-based experience with the production and use of ammonia for the petrochemical and fertiliser industries forms a sound basis for increasing its use as a marine fuel. Experience with the carriage of ammonia in liquefied-gas carriers – and the specific requirements for storage, distribution, personal protective equipment (PPE), etc. in the International Code of the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (IGC Code) – provide some of the statutory requirements to guide its application on ammonia-fuelled ships.
However, the toxicity challenges and related risks are significant and, while manageable, they will add complexity to ship designs (compared to those for conventional and other low-flashpoint fuels and gases) and will potentially limit the ships for which it is a suitable fuel. Ammonia ultimately may prove to be a more appropriate solution for deep-sea cargo ships rather than short-sea, passenger or inland waterway craft.
The report presents conclusions and recommendations of a multi-part study, developed to support national administrations, industry, and maritime stakeholders in the sustainable transition.
The study series includes:
- An extensive analysis of ammonia’s properties and characteristics, and how these properties are applicable as a marine fuel
- The identification of critical equipment and failure modes and a quantitative evaluation of the reliability of ammonia systems
- The results of a hazard and operability study of a generic ammonia fuel supply system from the fuel tank to the internal combustion engine
- Hazard identification exercises on the use of ammonia as fuel in a Newcastle dry bulk carrier and a mega ro-ro, including risk assessment of scenarios in which there are simultaneous operations in ports.
Full advisory at the following link.
https://maritimecyprus.com/2026/01/27/emsa-study-safety-of-ammonia-for-use-in-ships-final-report/