Over 500 considerations from cross-sector consultations that took place during a series of risk assessment workshops, led by Lloyd’s Register’s Maritime Decarbonisation Hub, suggest that a comprehensive overhaul of seafarer training is required as the industry transitions to zero and near zero GHG emission fuels.
These are the outcomes of a summary report, which was produced by the Maritime Just Transition Task Force (MJTTF), in collaboration with Lloyd’s Register’s (LR) Maritime Decarbonisation Hub and the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) Ocean Stewardship Coalition.
Made possible with the support of IMO and founding funder Lloyd’s Register Foundation, the report marks the completion of the first milestone of the MJTTF training project for the development of a baseline training framework to equip seafarers with the skills required to safely use ammonia, methanol and hydrogen as marine fuels. It is the high-level summary of the consultations made by over 100 stakeholders during 12 hybrid risk assessment workshops, which took place earlier in 2024.
Zero- and near zero-GHG emission fuels such as ammonia, methanol and hydrogen present unique challenges and hazards to the crew’s health and safety; requiring specialised knowledge and safety measures to be adequately and effectively implemented. However, the current Standards of the Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) Convention do not yet include guidelines or competency levels when specifically dealing with these green molecules.
The workshops focused on the use of ammonia, methanol and hydrogen as marine fuels to gather the industry perceptions on the necessary changes for seafarers transitioning from conventional fuel oil operations to zero and near zero energy sources for ships’ propulsion. The workshops identified the most significant safety risks associated with each fuel in scope and the new or modified training and competencies required for such a transition to be safe and effective, putting the seafarer at its core.
Considerations on ammonia highlighted its toxicity as a major challenge and alluded to comprehensive training on emergency response procedures, alongside new PPE standards and process safety measures.
Similarly for methanol, key concerns included the fuel’s high flammability, requiring new fire detection methods and updated personal protective equipment (PPE) protocols. Detailed training on methanol’s toxic properties and corrosivity will also be necessary in the next phase of the transition.
For hydrogen, considerations focused on issues such as flame detection and enhanced fire safety systems that would be vital for the crew, while repeating the need for new PPE protocols to be introduced to fully address hydrogen’s hazard profile.
From these stakeholder engagements, the MJTTF training project will develop detailed competency standards and a training framework to help maritime training academies and institutions further draft and implement training materials for upskilling and reskilling seafarers who will come in contact with hydrogen, ammonia and methanol as marine fuels. The Instructor Handbook to accompany the training framework will be released in 2025, led by project partner World Maritime University (WMU).
Natassa Kouvertari, Senior Lead – Human Competency, LR Maritime Decarbonisation Hub, said: “This report crystallises the industry’s views on what level of human competencies and training frameworks are needed for the safe deployment of ammonia, methanol and hydrogen onboard ships. It also aims to capture the scale of change required for each fuel in scope, establishing the foundations for informed decisions to be taken by the regulators and the industry for a meaningful just transition for seafarers.’.
Kjersti Aass, Head of Maritime Just Transition Task Force on behalf of UN Global Compact, said: “The UN Global Compact, through the Maritime Just Transition Task Force, is proud to lead the Training for Decarbonisation project in collaboration with the IMO Secretariat to facilitate the uptake of alternative fuels and ensure a safe, just and equitable transition as shipping is decarbonising.”
Ismael Cobos Delgado, Deputy Director, Subdivision for Operational Safety and Human Element, IMO, said: “IMO is committed to ensuring that the maritime workforce is prepared for the new fuels, with differing hazards and operational challenges, that will be part of the picture to meet the IMO 2023 GHG Strategy goals. IMO is pleased to be working with partners to ‘fast-track’ the development of training provisions for ships using new technologies and alternative fuels, alongside and in parallel to the comprehensive review of the STCW training Convention and Code.”
Arvind Natrajan, Senior Manager, Crewing and Training, Marine Department, ICS, said: “It is critical that seafarers who work on ships propelled by future fuels, do so in a safe manner. The recommendations from this report will go a long way towards developing a baseline training framework and to support maritime education and training institutes who will have to deliver this training. I believe that this report has come at an opportune time when our industry is debating strategic measures to achieve decarbonisation.”
Kulsoom Jafri, Lead Campaigner for Seafarers and Inland Navigation, ITF, said: “As the maritime industry undergoes a monumental shift toward alternative fuels and sustainable technologies, the importance of seafarers has never been clearer. This new report underscores a critical need for seafarer upskilling and training. As we transition to a greener, more technologically advanced maritime sector, it’s essential that our workforce is equipped with the skills and knowledge to navigate these changes safely and effectively. Seafarers are the backbone of global trade and energy transport, and investing in their training is not just an industry necessity—it’s an investment in safety, efficiency, and the future of the maritime sector itself.”
The project is co-funded by the IMO through its technical cooperation funding, including the IMO GHG TC Trust Fund, and Lloyd’s Register Foundation, an independent global charity that supports research, innovation, and education with a mission to make the world a safer place.
Tim Slingsby, Director of Skills and Education, Lloyd’s Register Foundation, said: “Moving towards a decarbonised future will create new jobs. This urgently requires workforces to reskill and upskill. Shipping is no different, and so Lloyd’s Register Foundation champions numerous skills initiatives that support a safe, equitable and just transition to zero and near-zero GHG emission fuels, particularly in emerging maritime economies. We’re proud of the work of our long-term partners the Maritime Just Transition Taskforce and the Lloyd’s Register Maritime Decarbonisation Hub for helping realise our vision in this space, and showing leadership at a time when it is so desperately needed.”
The full report can be downloaded here.
