The UK Chamber of Shipping has published a report outlining key safety considerations for five technologies expected to support maritime decarbonisation: biofuels, methanol, hydrogen, ammonia and battery energy storage systems.

The report, titled “Alternative Fuels: Building the Safety Evidence Base”, was developed through a year-long collaborative effort by the Chamber’s Safety of Alternative Fuels Working Group. The group brought together industry expertise to prepare preliminary risk assessments, identify common concerns and strengthen the evidence available for future standards and regulation.

The initiative was endorsed by the UK Chamber’s Safety and Environment Committee in November 2023 in response to the need for industry-led guidance on emerging marine fuels. Its first full year of activity focused on developing shared knowledge, improving collaboration among members and stakeholders, and establishing initial hazard assessments for the five priority pathways.

A central conclusion is that safety must be treated as a prerequisite for commercial deployment. The Chamber said design and process safety protocols, operational readiness and regulatory clarity must advance alongside fuel and propulsion technologies. The preliminary work will now support the development of a prioritisation matrix and recommendations with industry partners.

For battery energy storage systems, thermal runaway and fire were identified as the dominant risks. Potential causes include internal cell failures, cooling or ventilation breakdowns, loss of safety monitoring and control systems, water ingress, condensation and physical damage to battery units.

Biofuels were described as a practical near-term option, but one requiring strict supply-chain quality assurance and onboard handling controls. Identified risks include bunkering an unknown fuel grade, cross-contamination, incompatibility with seals or coatings, water and bacterial growth in blends, sludging and corrosion. Missing or incorrect Proof of Sustainability documentation may also create economic consequences.

Methanol-related concerns centre on loss of containment, flames that may not be visible, toxic exposure and bunkering conducted alongside cargo operations. The assessment also highlights the importance of effective gas detection and ventilation, particularly in enclosed spaces.

Hydrogen presents storage, explosion and cryogenic handling challenges, especially when carried in liquid form. The report points to gaps in design standards, hydrogen embrittlement caused by unsuitable materials, leaks during construction or maintenance, inadequate ventilation and limited availability of personnel trained to operate or repair hydrogen systems.

For ammonia, toxicity and the consequences of a major release place particular emphasis on port preparedness, onboard safeguards, emergency response and material compatibility. Listed hazards include hose rupture, incorrect valve alignment during bunkering, impact damage to tanks or fuel systems, collision-related tank failure and insufficient emergency-response familiarity among nearby vessels or ports.

The International Bunker Industry Association contributed to the initiative and welcomed collaborative work supporting the safe and responsible adoption of alternative fuels. The Chamber said the shared evidence base provides a foundation for further industry discussions on fuel safety, technical standards and regulation.