Classification society DNV has reported on the 10th session of the IMO Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (CCC 10), which among other issues, agreed on interim guidelines for use of ammonia as fuel and completed its review of the IGC Code.
The meeting finalised work on interim guidelines for use of ammonia as fuel, and continued work on interim guidelines for use of hydrogen as fuel and on interim guidelines for use of low-flashpoint fuels.
Additionally it completed its review of the IGC Code.
The interim guidelines for ammonia fuel include functional requirements for all sections of the IGC code. Detailed provisions have only been developed so far for parts of the guidelines; the general principles of the code should still be followed for the remaining parts.
As far as hydrogen fuel is concerned, CCC 10 continued work on the interim guidelines for the safety of ships using hydrogen as fuel, agreeing on functional requirements for all sections of the guidelines, and on certain fundamental design principles. Work continues on the interim guidelines aiming for finalisation in 2025. For low flashpoint oil fuels work continues on guidelines, reporting to CCC 11 in 2025.
Amendments and Unified Interpretations to the IGF Code will also be taken forward for consideration at CCC 11 in 2025. CCC 10’s review of the IGC Code agreed on provision of more detailed information on the certificate for vessels using Ch19 products only as fuel. The fuel product, when carried in dedicated gas fuel deck tanks, shall be carried with location requirements as for a cargo, but will not impact damage stability requirements.
Some definitions were revised, and provisions were clarified for water spray on vertical surfaces, ventilation requirements for hold spaces and cofferdams and alarm testing. Ch15 related to filling limits has been completely rewritten, and Ch16 is updated with detailed requirements for both LPG and ethane as fuels. A requirement has been included for double block and bleed on inert lines connected permanently to gas fuel lines.
