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Home › Engine Room › Ammonia Engines: Safety and Reliability of the First Units in Service
Operational guide · Safety & equipment

Ammonia Engines: Safety and Reliability of the First Units in Service

Ships approved for ammonia fuel apply MSC.1/Circ.1687, separate MSC.1/Circ.1702 for ammonia cargo as fuel and STCW.7/Circ.27, together with SOLAS/IGF or IGC, flag/class, maker and SMS; no universal 1 July 2028 date has been adopted.

ammoniadual-fueltwo-stroke enginesfuel safety

Operational Explanation

Ships approved for ammonia fuel apply MSC.1/Circ.1687, separate MSC.1/Circ.1702 for ammonia cargo as fuel and STCW.7/Circ.27, together with SOLAS/IGF or IGC, flag/class, maker and SMS; no universal 1 July 2028 date has been adopted.

Regulatory Reference

MSC.1/Circ.1687; MSC.1/Circ.1702; STCW.7/Circ.27; applicable SOLAS/IGF or IGC and ship-specific approval.

Scope of Application

Technology-based: ships approved to use ammonia as fuel. Ordered, engine delivered, ship delivered and commercial service are distinct statuses requiring primary owner/yard/class evidence.

Procedure / How to Complete It

  1. Identify ship type and ammonia arrangement.
  2. Select 1687 or cargo-as-fuel 1702 within scope.
  3. Apply training guidance 27 and approved competence requirements.
  4. Follow design-specific toxicity, detection, ventilation, PPE, emergency and maintenance controls.
  5. Do not state a mandatory amendment/date until IMO adopts and publishes it.
  6. Remove fleet firsts without a primary source and precise status.

Practical Example

A gas carrier using ammonia cargo as fuel checks 1702 and IGC; another ammonia-fuelled ship uses 1687 and its SOLAS/IGF/alternative approval.

What Typically Goes Wrong

Confusing the three interim instruments, imposing 1 July 2028, or citing first ships/commercial service without owner/yard/class source and status.

Common Mistakes Mistake Library

MistakeConsequenceHow to Avoid It
Confusing the three interim instruments, imposing 1 July 2028, or citing first ships/commercial service without owner/yard/class source and status.Non-compliant decision or treatmentFollow the approved arrangement and applicable sources

What the PSCO Checks

Evidence of the approved arrangement, procedures, records, competence, defect management and consistency with statutory/class/maker requirements.

Operational Tips

Preparation checklist

FAQ

What is the general ammonia guidance?
MSC.1/Circ.1687; cargo as fuel has separate MSC.1/Circ.1702.
Which training guidance?
STCW.7/Circ.27.
Do amendments enter on 1 July 2028?
Do not state that without a mandatory instrument adopted and indexed by IMO.

Related Topics

Methanol Engines: Reliability and Spare Parts ManagementFire Safety of Onboard Battery Rooms (BESS)

Last substantive revision of this page: 31 August 2026 · page fingerprint 2cee6cbb0577