PRESS RELEASE

Guidelines Address Potential Gaps in Safety
Management when Using Alternative Fuels On boardShips
Latest report presents guidelines for developing and implementing a Safety Management
System under The International Safety Management (ISM) Code addressing application ofalternative fuels on board ships.
April.4.2024. HOUSTON The Maritime Technologies Forum (MTF) has released guidelines
highlighting recommendations for developing and implementing the Safety Management
System (SMS) under the International Safety Management (ISM) Code, addressing
specifically, potentially more hazardous alternative fuels used on board ships. This reportfollows last year’s publication, ‘Operational Management to Accelerate Maritime
Decarbonisation’, which identified critical gaps in implementing three current regulatory
Conventions and Codes.
The MTF’s guidelines address potential gaps related to Safety Management Systems (SMS)
development and implementation; including emergency procedures; and maintenancemeasures. Through collaboration with industry stakeholders, MTF members developed
recommendations after reviewing the ISM Code’s Part A implementation for each section.
Some of the highlights from the report may be listed as below:••••

While the experience with alternative fuels will at first be limited, the MTF guidelines
outline actions for companies to develop new or strengthen existing SMS for
alternative fuels on board their fleet.
Companies should implement a structured risk management within SMS toproactively identify improvements and learn through non-conformities, accidents andhazardous occurrences related to alternative fuels, or through other companies orpilots.
The SMS should be versatile to accommodate mixed fuel operations and adapt to beready for new fuel scenarios as alternative fuels are progressively scaled andbecome more mainstream throughout the industry.
Safe operations with alternative fuels will require an assessment of the competency,
training, familiarisation and resources relevant to the specific alternative fuels. The
human element in the operations associated with the handling, storage and utilisationof alternative fuels is critical, and should be considered to ensure safe operations.

Commenting on the guidelines and recommendations, Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive for theMaritime and Port Authority of Singapore said:“As new fuels play a more prominent role in the maritime industry progressively, it isimportant for the shipping community to adopt safety by design, so that the residual risks toother vessels and the port ecosystem are reduced to a minimum. MPA welcomes thedevelopment of such work to support the holistic design of new and retrofitted vessels, and to
distil learning points to develop training for maritime professionals.”
Additional comments on the report were provided by Nick Brown, CEO of Lloyd’s Register,
saying:“These guidelines and recommendations from the MTF are an important step forward toachieving safe and sustainable operations and a great starting point to begin preparing for
the use of alternative fuels. The ISM Code provides a top-down approach to safety and is theideal vehicle through which to drive training and skills for the safe handling of these fuels, notonly under routine operations but also during emergencies such as equipment failures, fires,collisions, and malicious attacks. Our biggest strength, however, will be learning from eachother throughout the energy transition, ensuring we have a solid foundation to promote safety
for our people at sea and in port.”
Download the full report by clicking here.
Please join us for a panel event during Singapore Maritime Week where we will discuss thefindings of this report and more. View the agenda and register by clicking here.
About MTF
MTF is a forum of Flag States and Classification Societies established to provide technicaland regulatory expertise to benefit the maritime industry. The role of the Forum is towork together on research that it publishes to the maritime industry and draw on regulatory
expertise to be able to offer unbiased advice to the shipping sector. It seeks to give guidanceon the use of alternative fuels and increased levels of automation in the industry.
Furthermore, it allows for the safe testing and adoption of new technologies and it helps
shape world-leading regulation.
The Flag State administrations include Maritime Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure,
Transport and Tourism, Japan; the Norwegian Maritime Authority; the Maritime andCoastguard Agency, United Kingdom; and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore(MPA). The Classification Society members are ABS, DNV, LR and ClassNK.
Issued on behalf of the Maritime Technologies Forum. For more information, pleasecontact
Jesse Lashbrook
Strategic Marketing DirectorABS
T +1 281 877 6774
M +1 832 906 0459
E jlashbrook@eagle.org