Lloyd’s Register Maritime Decarbonisation Hub (The Decarb Hub) and Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping (MMMCZCS) release new reports to help meet the upskilling needs of an estimated future 800,000 seafarers as the industry transitions to alternative fuels.

With the maritime industry under pressure to reduce carbon emissions, ammonia is gaining popularity as a promising alternative fuel. However, many are unaware of the unique hazards associated with ammonia, including toxicity, flammability, and material incompatibility, and how to handle it safely, efficiently, and in an environmentally responsible manner.

While current frameworks outlined in the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) International Convention on Standards of Training, Competency and Watchkeeping for Seafarers Code (STCW) for seafarer training provide a foundation, they fall short of addressing the unique challenges posed by ammonia. The MMMCZCS and The Decarb Hub, a joint initiative between the Lloyd’s Register Group and Lloyd’s Register Foundation, have released a new set of reports under the “Ammonia as Fuel – Competencies and Training” project, emphasising the need to address design and human factor challenges associated with ammonia.

The reports outline a roadmap for the industry to prepare seafarers for ammonia-fuelled ship operations, detailing minimum regulatory requirements, basic and advanced competencies for seafarers, and role-specific training for onboard and shore-based personnel. While the initiative was underway, the MMMCZCS conducted an industry acceptance survey, which revealed a great degree of willingness to work on ammonia-fuelled vessels, and moreover that this level of heightened acceptance is contingent on comprehensive training programmes.

The three reports from the collaboration are a project summary report, a technical report that addresses training standards, and a second technical report that delves into competencies for certain operational, maintenance, and emergency-response scenarios.

Additionally, it provides a call to action for key stakeholders, namely shipowners and operators, seafarers, technology providers, as well as regulators and training institutes, to implement its findings.

To aid in impending seafarer safety, shipping companies are urged to conduct gap analyses, update corporate policies,and invest in seafarer upskilling initiatives. Additionally, regulators and flag states must work together to incorporate ammonia-related safety measures into global maritime training standards. Training providers are advised to develop transition journeys for seafarers and shore-based staff and update training facilities to include practical training with ammonia. This latest report, representing Phase 3 of the partnership, follows earlier studies on vessel design and operations and human factors considerations for ammonia-fuelled vessels.