The UK Chamber of Shipping has published a report outlining safety considerations for alternative marine fuels, as the industry moves toward net-zero operations.
The report, Alternative Fuels: Building the Safety Evidence Base, brings together input from across shipping, ports, fuel suppliers, academia and regulators. Developed by the Chamber’s Safety of Alternative Fuels Working Group (SAFWG), it provides high-level risk assessments for five fuel pathways: battery energy storage systems (BESS), biofuels, methanol, hydrogen and ammonia.
Francesco Sandrelli, policy director (environment) at the UK Chamber of Shipping, said, “Shipping is on a critical pathway to net zero. New fuels and energy sources are moving from pilot projects to commercial reality, but safety, standards and operational readiness must keep pace.”
Sandrelli added that no single fuel will meet all decarbonization needs: “Different vessel types, trades and operating environments will require different solutions. What is essential is that the transition takes place safely. This publication is an important step toward achieving that goal.”
The report identifies the need for robust design and process safety frameworks to support the commercial deployment of alternative fuels. It also highlights cross-sector challenges including material compatibility, emergency response preparedness, crew training and the need for clearer regulatory pathways.
Stephen Brown, chair of the SAFWG and technology manager at Shell Shipping & Maritime, said, “The SAFWG is an excellent example of what can be achieved when industry stakeholders come together to address a shared challenge. The breadth of expertise involved in this work has created a valuable resource for operators, designers, regulators and the wider maritime sector.”
The working group included shipowners, operators, fuel suppliers, equipment manufacturers, classification societies, insurers, ports and government stakeholders. Its aim was to identify common risks, knowledge gaps and emerging issues linked to alternative fuels.
The report follows the group’s first year of activity, involving more than 200 participants from over 50 organizations through a series of technical workshops.
Future work by the SAFWG will focus on identifying regulatory and knowledge gaps, developing case studies and establishing a database of incidents and lessons learned.
Related news, Lloyd’s Register report finds LNG remains cruise shipping’s most mature alternative fuel