DNV has released a competence standard (ST) for methanol and a recommended practice (RP) for ammonia, to enable crew and shipowners to tackle the safety risks and challenges posed by the introduction of new alternative fuels and technologies.
According to DNV’s Alternative Fuels Insights platform, the number of vessels ordered with alternative-fuelled capability is growing with 27 ammonia and 322 methanol-fuelled vessels currently on the orderbooks (as of November 2024).
To ensure safe operations as these vessels enter service, it is essential that shipboard crew has the right knowledge and skills and adhere to updated processes and procedures. “Embracing new fuels and technologies is essential to achieving our decarbonisation goals, but these advancements introduce new risks, adding complexity to an already challenging operating environment,” said Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, ceo DNV Maritime,. “To obtain a safe, timely, and impactful maritime transformation, we need to ensure safe operations by supporting both our seafarers and onshore personnel. Competence development is crucial for managing the transition safely and avoiding a safety gap that could put crew, assets, the environment, and our decarbonisation efforts at risk.”
The DNV-ST-0687 “Competence related to the use of methanol as fuel” published in October, and the DNV-RP-0699 “Competence related to the use of ammonia as fuel,” also published last month, apply to shipboard crew on vessels using methanol or ammonia as fuel. The standard clearly outline the expected competencies for using these fuels onboard, enabling the assessment and verification of an individual’s knowledge and skills to ensure they can operate and maintain systems and equipment safely.
Kirsten Birgitte Strømsnes, business development leader in DNV Maritime Advisory said: “Introducing methanol or ammonia as fuel onboard vessels will impact personnel ashore, the shipboard crew and the shipowner’s organisation. It is critical that the crew can recognise risks and operate systems safely and the organisation needs to accommodate for this through i.e. safety management system and other organisational means.”
DNV collaborated with OSM Thome and Northern Marine when developing the ST and Amon Maritime, Azane Fuel Solutions, Yara Clean Ammonia, Wärtsilä, Kongsberg Maritime and Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement/ Ula Ship Management when developing the ammonia RP.
