IMO completes review of draft guidelines for methanol and ethanol vessels — Cyprus Mail
In London, United Kingdom, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) completed its review of interim safety guidelines for ships using methanol and ethanol as fuel. The work was carried out during the 12th session of the IMO Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (CCC 12), which ran from September 14 to 18.
As Cyprus Mail reports, the sub-committee completed its review of document MSC.1/Circ.1621, the interim guidelines for the safety of ships using methyl or ethyl alcohol as fuel. The revised text will be submitted to the IMO Maritime Safety Committee for consideration. MSC 113 is expected to consider it for approval in June 2027.
Fuel handling requirements
Until possible approval, the changes will remain draft provisions rather than new mandatory rules. The revised guidelines contain more detailed requirements concerning toxicity, bunkering, fire safety, operations and personnel protection.
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According to DNV, the update covers all sections of the existing guidelines. It gives designers more flexibility regarding the placement of fuel tanks and leak mitigation solutions, and also introduces a new approach to the ventilation of fuel spaces. Provisions concerning bunkering stations and fire-extinguishing systems have been expanded. Guidance on bunkering operations and personal protective equipment has also been strengthened separately.
Other alternative technologies
CCC 12 also continued developing separate interim guidelines for ships using oil fuels with a low flash point, from 52°C to 60°C. According to Lloyd’s Register, completion of this work was postponed for a year: a correspondence group will develop the provisions, after which they are to be returned for consideration at CCC 13 in 2027.
Delegates decided not to develop detailed rules based on the concept of a temperature-controlled engine room. Instead, further work will focus on an approach closer to the International Code of Safety for Ships using Gases or other Low-flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code), but with simplified safety barriers. In addition, the IMO began developing safety guidelines for ships with onboard carbon capture and storage systems.
