Operational Guide · Registers & Logbooks

# Alternative Fuels and Operational Readiness

LNG, methanol, ammonia: every alternative fuel brings its own set of specific operational risks, governed by the IGF Code, which must be addressed before adoption, not after.

alternative fuels IGF Code LNG methanol ammonia

## Operational Explanation

The transition to lower-carbon fuels (LNG, methanol, ammonia, hydrogen) requires specific operational preparation that goes well beyond installing the propulsion system: bunkering, storage, emergency management and crew training must be adapted to the specific risk characteristics of each fuel, often very different from those of conventional fuel.

The IGF Code (International Code of Safety for Ships using Gases or other Low-flashpoint Fuels) provides the regulatory framework for the use of these fuels, but its practical application requires specific competencies that the industry is still developing at scale, with significant differences in technological and regulatory maturity between the various alternative fuels.

## Regulatory Reference

SOLAS Chapter II-1, Part G makes the IGF Code mandatory for ships using gases or other low-flashpoint fuels; additional fuel-type-specific requirements are under continuous development at the IMO, given the rapid technological evolution of the sector.

## Scope of Application

Every ship that uses or plans to use alternative fuels (LNG, methanol, ammonia, hydrogen) as a primary or dual fuel alongside conventional fuel.

## Procedure / How to Complete It

1. Assess the technological and regulatory maturity of the alternative fuel under consideration, since it varies significantly (LNG relatively mature, ammonia and hydrogen at a more experimental stage).
2. Verify compliance with the IGF Code for the storage, distribution and use systems of the specific fuel on board.
3. Develop fuel-specific bunkering procedures, considering the toxicity, flammability or cryogenic characteristics specific to each fuel.
4. Train the crew on the specific risks of the fuel used (e.g. ammonia toxicity, LNG cryogenic temperatures), not generically on 'alternative fuels'.
5. Prepare specific emergency procedures (e.g. handling an ammonia spill, handling an LNG gas release) distinct from those for conventional fuel.

## Practical Example

Preparation example: a dual-fuel LNG/conventional fuel ship, with the crew specifically trained on cryogenic bunkering procedures and on managing gas-release emergencies, distinct from the traditional bunkering procedures already familiar to them.

## Real Cases

The adoption of fuels such as ammonia, toxic even at low concentrations and not yet widely used at commercial scale, has raised specific concerns about crew preparedness and the availability of safe bunkering infrastructure, highlighting how the transition to alternative fuels proceeds at different speeds depending on the technological maturity of each option.

## Common Mistakes Mistake Library

Mistake | Consequence | How to avoid it
--- | --- | ---
Crew trained generically on 'alternative fuels' instead of specifically on the fuel actually used | Personnel not adequately prepared for the specific risks of the actual fuel on board | Always train specifically on the fuel actually installed, not generically
Emergency procedures borrowed from conventional fuel without adaptation | Inadequate response to an emergency with different specific risk characteristics (toxicity, cryogenics) | Develop specific emergency procedures for every alternative fuel used
Adoption of an alternative fuel without assessing the maturity of bunkering infrastructure on planned routes | Operational difficulties in fuel supply | Assess the fuel's infrastructure availability on planned operating routes before adoption

## PSC Observations

PSCOs verify compliance with the IGF Code for ships using alternative fuels, including specific crew training and the availability of emergency procedures adequate for the fuel used.

## Operational Tips

- Always train the crew specifically on the fuel actually installed on board, not generically on alternative fuels.
- Develop dedicated emergency procedures for every alternative fuel, rather than merely adapting existing conventional fuel procedures.
- Assess the maturity of bunkering infrastructure on planned operating routes before adopting a new fuel.

## Checklist

- IGF Code compliance verified for the fuel's storage/distribution systems
- Fuel-specific bunkering procedures developed
- Crew specifically trained on the risks of the actual fuel on board
- Dedicated emergency procedures prepared for the specific fuel
- Fuel infrastructure availability verified for operating routes

## FAQ

What is the IGF Code?
It is the International Code of Safety for Ships using Gases or other Low-flashpoint Fuels, made mandatory by SOLAS Chapter II-1 Part G, which sets out safety requirements for ships using gas or other low-flashpoint fuels.
Do all alternative fuels have the same level of regulatory maturity?
No: LNG is relatively mature with well-established operational experience, while fuels such as ammonia and hydrogen are at a more experimental stage, with regulatory requirements and supporting infrastructure still under development.
Why does ammonia require specific emergency procedures compared to LNG?
Because it is a toxic fuel even at low concentrations, unlike LNG whose main risk is related to flammability and cryogenic temperatures: spill management procedures must reflect these very different risk characteristics.
🎬 Additional photos, videos and interactive diagrams for this topic will be available in a future version of the platform.

## Related Topics

Bunkering Operations and Fuel Quality Control MARPOL Annex VI — Prevention of Air Pollution

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