The Maritime Technologies Forum (MTF), with support from BIMCO and other leading organisations, has published new guidelines to help companies develop and adapt Safety Management Systems (SMS) for ammonia-fuelled ships. Focused on practical, ISM-aligned safety measures, the guidelines address ammonia’s unique risks and complement ongoing IMO work. Aimed at supporting safe decarbonisation, the document offers valuable insight for early adopters of alternative fuels.
The Maritime Technologies Forum (MTF) has released the Guidelines for developing and implementing a Safety Management System (SMS) for ammonia-fuelled ships, a new industry resource aimed at enhancing safety standards for ammonia-fuelled operations. Developed in collaboration with BIMCO and other key stakeholders, the guidelines are designed to help operators adapt their SMS to address the unique risks posed by ammonia.
Building on earlier work
The ammonia-specific guidelines follow the successful delivery of MTF’s Guidelines for developing and implementing a SMS for alternative fuels, published by in 2024. That document outlined a framework for integrating alternative fuels into safety management systems. Recognising ammonia’s distinct characteristics, the new guidelines take a deeper dive into its operational, technical, and training considerations specific to its use as marine fuel.
IMO alignment and regulatory context
The new guidelines complement the ongoing work at the IMO’s sub-committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (CCC), particularly the Interim guidelines for the safety of ships using ammonia as fuel (MSC.1/Circ.1687). While non-prescriptive, they align closely with the ISM Code and offer a practical, adaptable approach to managing ammonia-related risks in this early phase of adoption.
Addressing unique risks
Ammonia, while promising for decarbonisation, presents significant safety, operational and environmental challenges due to its physical and chemical properties, including its high toxicity and corrosive nature. The guidelines take a risk-based approach to help companies mitigate these challenges across the ship lifecycle - from design and retrofitting to daily operations.
Key recommendations include:
- Enhanced risk assessments tailored to ammonia’s properties
- Clear emergency preparedness protocols for ammonia-specific scenarios
- Dedicated training and familiarisation for both onboard and shore-based personnel
- Safe handling procedures specific to ship and equipment design
- Enhanced management of change (MOC) procedures
- Versatile SMS structures that accommodate mixed-fuel operations.
Given the limited operational experience with ammonia as fuel, the guidelines underscore the importance of continual learning and adaptation. A centralised industry database for incident reporting and lessons learned is recommended to support continuous improvement and inform future SMS updates.
Early adopters are encouraged to integrate ammonia-specific measures into their SMS using the ISM Code as a framework, while also drawing on evolving regulatory guidance and emerging best practices.
Operators not currently planning to adopt ammonia are also encouraged to review the guidelines to build awareness and strengthen organisational readiness as the alternative fuels landscape evolves.
Supporting safe maritime decarbonisation
BIMCO remains actively engaged with the IMO and industry stakeholders to ensure a safe transition to alternative fuels. These ammonia-specific SMS guidelines offer a valuable foundation for managing the complexities of emerging fuel systems while maintaining high safety and environmental standards.
The development of this guidance highlights the importance of industry collaboration in addressing the challenges associated with new fuel technologies.
The full guidelines can be accessed here.
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