The International Maritime Organization’s Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (CCC) has finalised revised interim guidelines for ships powered by methanol and other methyl or ethyl alcohol fuels, according to a summary published by DNV.
The update was agreed during the CCC’s 12th session, held at IMO headquarters in London from 14 to 18 September, as reported by Ship & Bunker.
What the Revised Guidelines Cover
According to DNV’s summary, the revisions touch every section of the existing framework governing alcohol-fuelled vessels. The changes draw on operational experience accumulated from ships already running on these fuels.
Among the key updates, the guidelines now offer greater flexibility regarding where fuel tanks can be positioned and how leakage is managed. DNV also notes that a new approach to ventilating fuel spaces has been introduced.
Bunkering station design and fire-extinguishing arrangements have been expanded within the guidance, and new provisions address bunkering operations alongside personal protective equipment requirements, DNV reports.
Separately, the same CCC session finalised a harmonised performance standard for lashing software, intended to supplement existing cargo securing manuals, according to the DNV summary.
Next Steps
Ship & Bunker reports that the revised methanol fuel guidelines are not yet final. They still require further consideration and formal approval from the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee before entering into force.
Does This Matter to You?
For those involved in bunkering operations, vessel design, or fuel handling, updated safety frameworks around alternative fuels can influence how future methanol-fuelled vessels are built and operated, including tank placement, ventilation systems, and bunkering station requirements.
As methanol adoption continues to grow within the shipping industry’s efforts to cut emissions, clearer and more flexible safety standards may affect newbuild specifications and retrofit considerations. However, since these guidelines still require Maritime Safety Committee approval, their practical application remains pending, and the source material does not detail a specific implementation timeline.
Gulf Bunkering does not provide operational or security guidance. This article is for informational purposes only. Operators should consult flag state authorities, P&I clubs, and relevant advisories for decisions relating to transit planning.
Sources: Ship & Bunker, DNV
