New MTF guidelines for alternative-fuelled ships revealed

As shipping transitions towards lower-carbon energy sources, the new report provides guidelines for conducting qualitative risk assessments as a core component of the approval process for alternative-fuelled ships. They provide a much-needed structure to manage emerging risks and ensure consistency across regulatory and operational practices.

A Standard Framework for Risk and Safety

"Traditionally, our industry has focused on hazard risk assessments, but when it comes to alternative fuels that have a toxic or explosive nature, many hazards are associated with the operation of the systems themselves,” explained Dr. Minas Diacakis, MTF Project Manager, ABS. 

The guidelines therefore include detailed annexes with fuel-specific hazard data, safeguards, and likelihood references, and are intended to serve as a practical industry standard complementing existing IMO (International Maritime Organization) documentation. By promoting a harmonised approach, the guidelines support smoother approval processes, safety management, and regulatory compliance, addressing a long-standing gap that has led to inefficiencies and uncertainty in ship design and certification.

Dr. Pierre C Sames, MTF Working Group Chair, DNV said that, according to DNV data, around 1,400 vessels in global order books feature alternative fuel systems - highlighting the urgent need for clear, consistent methodologies to assess and manage the associated risks.

Implementation, Challenges, and Harmonisation

Moderated by Dr. Sames, the launch event included two expert panels exploring different aspects of implementation and industry impact. The first panel with Nikos Papapanagiotou, Managing Director, Athens, C-Job Naval Architects; Oliver Vardy, Head of Domestic Survey (acting), MCA and Kazuto Yoshinaga, Regional Manager, ClassNK, examined the practical challenges of implementing the new guidelines and the importance of early collaboration among stakeholders. 

Panellists highlighted the need for process adjustments, expanded training for surveyors and approval engineers, and early alignment on design scope and acceptance criteria to streamline approvals.

Speakers noted that while prescriptive regulations provide clarity, they can be overly conservative for novel fuel systems, creating design inefficiencies in areas such as venting and toxicity zones. The MTF’s harmonised, risk-based approach was praised for improving flexibility and consistency, with calls for IMO-level alignment to ensure global uniformity.

Perspectives from System Suppliers and Ship Operators

The second panel with Dr. Thomas Chalkidis, CTO, Metacon, Wout van der Leeuw, Manager Marine Services, Anthony Veder, Nils Haktor Bua, Head of Section for New Maritime Technologies, NMA and Mark Nijhoff, Engineering Piping and Decarbonisation Lead Specialist, Lloyd’s Register, focused on the practical application of the guidelines and areas for future improvement. Participants emphasised the rising role of alternative fuels - including ammonia, hydrogen, LNG, and methanol - and the need for robust HAZOP assessments to manage new safety and operational risks.

Panellists credited the guidelines with fostering collaboration and clearer communication between designers, suppliers, and regulators, while reinforcing safety integration early in the design process. They identified next steps in software validation, cybersecurity, and post-approval operations, noting that the guidelines complement, rather than replace, the IMO 1455 process.

Driving Safer Decarbonization Through Collaboration

Both panels underscored a clear message: the transition to alternative fuels requires not only technological innovation but also a shared understanding of risk. By offering a harmonised and practical approach, the new MTF guidelines aim to bridge the gap between safety assurance and decarbonisation, supporting the industry’s collective commitment to a sustainable and resilient maritime future.