The UK Chamber of Shipping has today published Alternative Fuels: Building the Safety Evidence Base, a landmark report bringing together industry expertise to identify and assess the safety considerations associated with the fuels expected to power shipping's transition to net zero.

Developed through the Chamber's Safety of Alternative Fuels Working Group (SAFWG), the publication provides preliminary, high-level risk assessments covering five key fuel pathways: Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), biofuels, methanol, hydrogen and ammonia. 

Francesco Sandrelli, Policy Director (Environment) at the UK Chamber of Shipping, said:

Shipping is on a critical pathway to net zero. New fuels and energy sources are moving from pilot projects to commercial reality, but safety, standards and operational readiness must keep pace.

There is no single fuel that will decarbonise shipping. Different vessel types, trades and operating environments will require different solutions. What is essential is that the transition takes place safely. This publication is an important step towards achieving that goal.

Among the report's key findings is the need for robust design and process safety frameworks to support the commercial deployment of alternative fuels. The research also highlights a number of cross-cutting themes, including material compatibility, emergency response preparedness, crew training and competence, and the need for clearer regulatory pathways. 

The report represents a major collaborative effort by industry to build a shared understanding of the opportunities and challenges associated with alternative marine fuels. It provides practical insights into the known risks, highlights where further work is needed, and creates a foundation for future research, regulation and operational learning. 

Stephen Brown, Chair of the Safety of Alternative Fuels Working Group and Technology Manager at Shell Shipping & Maritime, said:

The SAFWG is an excellent example of what can be achieved when industry stakeholders come together to address a shared challenge. The breadth of expertise involved in this work has created a valuable resource for operators, designers, regulators and the wider maritime sector. This is the beginning of a longer journey, but we have established an important foundation for future collaboration.

The Working Group brought together shipowners, operators, fuel suppliers, equipment manufacturers, classification societies, insurers, legal experts, ports, academics and government stakeholders to identify common themes, knowledge gaps and emerging risks as the industry accelerates decarbonisation. 

James Helliwell, Vice-Chair of the Safety of Alternative Fuels Working Group and Commercial Director for Decarbonisation at V. Group, said:

Significant work has already been undertaken across the industry to pilot and test alternative fuels, but much of that experience is not widely available. By bringing together knowledge from across the sector, this initiative has produced a clear baseline understanding of key risks and considerations that will help inform future vessel design and operations.

The SAFWG was established by the UK Chamber of Shipping to support industry understanding of the safety implications associated with emerging zero and near-zero emission fuels. 

The report is the culmination of the Working Group's first year of activity, during which more than 200 participants from over 50 organisations collaborated through a series of technical workshops delivered by Policy Director Francesco Sandrelli, supported by Robert Merrylees and Paul Markides. 

The publication forms part of the UK Chamber's wider work to support shipping's transition to net zero while maintaining the highest standards of safety and operational excellence. 

Future work by the SAFWG will focus on identifying regulatory and knowledge gaps, developing project-specific case studies, expanding stakeholder engagement and establishing an incident and lessons-learned database.