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Anhydrous Ammonia (Ammonia - NH3) is a light, toxic and colourless gas. Due to the chemical composition of the fuel, NH3 is considered a zero-carbon fuel with no carbon in the chemical molecule. It does have toxicity and flammability issues which require special handling for storage and transport. The fuel has been used in industrial sectors and is transported in the maritime field as a cargo.

For vessels above 500GT, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) currently regulates vessels carrying ammonia as cargo under the International Maritime Organisation鈥檚 (IMO) International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (IGC Code). The MCA also works with operators and Classification Societies to regulate vessels using ammonia as a marine fuel, under the IMO鈥檚 interim guidelines as published as part of the International Code of Safety for Ships using Gases or other Low-flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code). These are applicable through the use of the alternative design arrangement. For smaller vessels using ammonia as fuel, no prescriptive regulations currently exist and are considered on a case-by-case basis, guided by experts from MCA鈥檚 Technical Operations, Regulation and Standards and Seafarer Technical Delivery teams.

Key contacts

Any existing customers wishing to build or convert a vessel to operate using ammonia as fuel are encouraged, in the first instance, to contact their MCA Customer Service Manager who will be able to advise further on the process and where necessary set up a meeting with MCA subject matter leads to discuss the proposals in detail.

New customers or those without a Customer Service Manager should contact: HQSurvey@mcga.gov.uk