PRESS RELEASEMTF report shows pathway to achieving industry
consensus on the safe use of ammonia
A new report from the MTF’s ‘Project Ammonia’ examines MTF members’ views on theapplicable international safety regulatory framework for ammonia as a marine fuel and its future
development
MAY.04.2022. HOUSTON The Maritime Technologies Forum (MTF) has today released a newreport on the use of ammonia as a marine fuel.
The preliminary discussion report reveals various ideas and diverse comments on the use ofalternative fuels from different points of view, while not prioritising any opinion in a specificdirection but rather underlining the need for further research and collaboration to ensure asustainable future for shipping.
Specifically, the identification of the key safety concerns tied to ammonia based on members’
both common and diverse understanding from different perspectives may become a significant
input to the industry for further relevant investigations and discussions.
The report’s launch marks the MTF’s second publication to investigate how the maritime
industry can achieve the IMO’s carbon reduction targets.
Ammonia has been acknowledged by the industry as a potential energy source that does notemit carbon particles upon combustion. However, the technology is not yet mature,
infrastructure for production and delivery is lacking, work to address its toxicity is ongoing, andcurrently there is no concrete regulatory framework that will allow the use of ammonia as fuel forships at sea. Further long-term research is critical to acquire a sufficient understanding of thepotential environmental impacts of such an endeavor.
The report’s main objective was to trigger discussion among MTF members. Several questions
converged on the potential regulation of ammonia, the basic properties of the fuel andappropriate safety measures.

The members’ views on these topics have been consolidated in the report with the conclusionthat further long-term research is needed to understand the environmental impact of introducing
ammonia into the fuel mix.
Commenting on the report, a spokesperson for the MTF said:“The Maritime industry, and the world, is facing one of its greatest challenges: decarbonization.
To get more clarity on the road ahead, the industry must address and discuss the challenges
together to ensure safety remains at the heart of any new fuel developments.
“We hope the observations and findings from this project will contribute to future discussions onalternative fuels and help further promote decarbonization efforts within our industry.”
Download the report here.
About MTF
The 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 to work
together on research which it will publish to the maritime industry and draw on regulatory
expertise to be able to offer unbiased advice to the shipping sector. It will seek to give guidanceon the use of alternative fuels and increased levels of automation in the industry. Furthermore, itwill allow for the safe testing and adoption of new technologies and it will help shape worldleading regulation.
Issued on behalf of the Maritime Technologies Forum. For more information, please contact
Jesse Lashbrook
Strategic Marketing DirectorABS
T +1 281 877 6774
M +1 832 906 0459
E jlashbrook@eagle.org