Lloyd’s Register (LR), Exmar, and Belgium’s Federal Public Service (FPS) for Mobility and Transport have jointly developed interim guidelines that will allow ammonia cargo to be used as fuel on gas carriers. The guidelines, finalised at the IMO’s Sub-Committee on the Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (CCC 11), are expected to receive formal approval at MSC 111 in May 2026.

Work on enabling ammonia cargo consumption began more than two years ago, when Belgium’s FPS Mobility and Transport, supported by LR and Exmar, secured an amendment to the Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (IGC Code). The amendment removed restrictions that had previously prevented ammonia from being used as fuel on gas carriers certified under the code.

The three organisations developed the initial draft of the interim guidelines, which were then refined through a correspondence group process involving IMO member states. The framework is intended to provide a recognised regulatory pathway for shipowners and operators pursuing ammonia-fuelled vessel designs, balancing safety requirements with operational flexibility.

Claudene Sharp-Patel, Global Technical Director at LR, commented: "This collaboration shows what's possible when industry leaders, regulators, and technical experts come together to enable change. LR has been involved in ammonia-as-fuel projects from their earliest stages through to realisation. The deep knowledge and expertise we've developed directly benefit our clients as they look to decarbonise their fleets. Being part of this pioneering work reinforces LR's position as a trusted advisor and innovation leader in the maritime energy transition."

Kristof Coppé, director of fleet operations and technical business development at Exmar, said: "Exmar's journey toward ammonia as a marine fuel began in 2021, when our company received Approval in Principle from Lloyd's Register for an ammonia-fueled mid-size gas carrier. Using our own cargo as fuel has long been a strategic priority for Exmar, a commitment previously demonstrated through our pioneering adoption of LPG as a propulsion fuel. Ammonia now marks the next step forward, offering the added benefit of reducing direct CO₂ emissions by up to 90 percent."

Coppé added: "Our close collaboration with Lloyd's Register and FPS Mobility in Belgium has been instrumental throughout this process. Their support, particularly on the regulatory front, has been a cornerstone in advancing this project toward success."

Nathalie Deleuze, maritime expert for alternative fuels at FPS Mobility and Transport of Belgium, remarked: "Decarbonisation is a key priority for Belgium. At the FPS Mobility and Transport, we're committed to facilitating the shift toward alternative fuels. To make this happen, we combined our expertise in IMO processes with the technical know-how of pioneering Belgian shipowners and Lloyd's Register. Together, we're charting the course toward a cleaner future."

LR has also published Fuel for Thought: Ammonia, a technical reference covering the use of ammonia in shipping, including safety considerations, adoption drivers, supply chain factors and technology readiness. The report forms part of LR’s wider Fuel for Thought series on alternative marine fuels, which provides analysis on emerging technologies and policy developments.