RS took part in the first meeting of the Intersessional Working Group
Russian Maritime Register of Shipping Joins Key Talks on Safe Use of Alternative Fuels for Ships
The Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS) recently participated in an important meeting about making ships safer when using alternative fuels. This meeting, called the Intersessional Working Group on Development of Technical Provisions for Safety of Ships Using Alternative Fuels (ISWG-AF 1), was held at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) headquarters in London.
Dr. Vladimir Shurpyak, the Deputy Head of the Research and Development (R&D) Department at RS, represented the organization. The meeting had a big focus on improving safety rules for ships that use new types of fuels, such as hydrogen, ammonia, and low-flashpoint fuels.
These fuels are considered greener options compared to traditional ones, but they need special safety rules because they can be dangerous if not handled properly. For example, hydrogen is very flammable, and ammonia can be toxic. Low-flashpoint fuels ignite more easily than regular fuels, making them risky without the right precautions.
The working group discussed the progress made by another group, called the Intersessional Correspondence Group, which had been working on developing safety rules for these alternative fuels. Their work has already brought important changes to the safety guidelines for using ammonia as a fuel for ships.
By the end of 2024, the IMO is expected to approve these new safety guidelines for ammonia-fueled ships. However, more time is needed for the safety rules concerning hydrogen and low-flashpoint fuels. The work on these guidelines is set to continue in 2025.
The goal of these discussions and guidelines is to help the shipping industry transition to greener fuels while ensuring the safety of ships, crew members, and the environment.
