Korea Leads Global Efforts on Ammonia Fuel Standards
The maritime industry is rapidly shifting towards zero-carbon fuels to meet the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) ambitious 2050 net-zero target. Among the promising solutions are ammonia-fueled ships, which present unique challenges due to the toxic effluent they generate. In response, the Korean Register (KR) has teamed up with major shipbuilders and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to establish an international working group aimed at developing safety and discharge standards for ammonia effluent.
Formation of the International Working Group
In June 2025, KR, in collaboration with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and five leading Korean shipbuilders—HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, HD Hyundai Samho, Samsung Heavy Industries, and Hanwha Ocean—launched an international working group. This initiative aims to create safety management and marine discharge standards for ammonia effluent, which is crucial as the maritime sector embraces ammonia as a viable fuel alternative.
The need for these standards was highlighted during Korea’s proposal at the IMO Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (CCC) in 2024. This proposal received official approval at the 83rd session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) in April 2025, marking a significant step towards establishing a regulatory framework for ammonia effluent management.
The working group convened on February 5, 2026, at the HD Hyundai Global R&D Center, emphasizing the importance of inter-organizational collaboration. Over the next two years, the group plans to draft international standards for submission to the IMO Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR). This initiative positions Korea as a leader in global discussions on ammonia effluent management, reflecting its commitment to environmental sustainability in maritime operations.
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Upcoming Discussions and Strategic Goals
As the 13th session of the IMO PPR approaches, the Korean government delegation is set to advocate for the urgent establishment of guidelines for ammonia effluent management. They will propose the formation of an Expert Group to facilitate in-depth technical discussions on this critical issue. KR is at the forefront of these international deliberations, providing technical evidence on safe discharge limits based on comprehensive environmental impact assessments of ammonia effluent.
This initiative not only aims to enhance safety standards but also presents a significant opportunity for Korea to integrate its shipbuilding expertise into global regulations. By doing so, Korea seeks to strengthen its maritime industry’s competitiveness as the market for ammonia-fueled ships continues to grow. KR’s Executive Vice President, Kim Kyungbok, emphasized the importance of these discussions, stating that they mark the beginning of substantial international efforts to establish ammonia effluent safety standards. He affirmed KR’s commitment to ensuring that proven domestic technical standards are effectively incorporated into international rulemaking.
