Norway-based classification society DNV has launched new competence standard and recommended practice to ensure the safe use of methanol and ammonia as fuels on ships.
This initiative comes as the maritime industry seeks sustainable alternatives to traditional fuels and aims to reduce its carbon footprint.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
DNV’s Alternative Fuels Insights platform reveals that there are currently 27 ammonia and 322 methanol-fuelled vessels on the order books.
DNV published DNV-ST-0687, “Competence related to the use of methanol as fuel,” in October and DNV-RP-0699, “Competence related to the use of ammonia as fuel,” this month.
The new standards provide a framework for assessing and verifying an individual’s ability to safely operate and maintain relevant systems and equipment.
DNV Maritime CEO Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen said: “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.
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalData“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 decarbonization efforts at risk.”
In developing these standards, DNV worked in collaboration with several industry partners.
For the methanol competence standard, DNV partnered with OSM Thome and Northern Marine.
The ammonia recommended practice was developed with input from Amon Maritime, Azane Fuel solutions, Yara Clean Ammonia, Wärtsilä, Kongsberg Maritime, and Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement/Ula Ship Management.
DNV Maritime Advisory business development leader Kirsten Birgitte Strømsnes said: “DNV’s Methanol ST and Ammonia RP can provide the shipowner with an overview of competence needs for the shipboard crew, and assist in defining training needs, crew planning and input to manuals.
“The purpose of these documents is to be used by shipowners for onboard familiarisation and competence management, by maritime academies and training institutions to develop curricula and courses and by third parties, as a reference document, for certification or verification of learning programmes and competence assessments in examinations.”
In 2021, DNV introduced new digital tool, EEXI Calculator, for clients to comply with the Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI), a measure related to the ship’s technical design.
