The maritime industry is at a crossroads, and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is stepping up to the plate with interim training guidance for alternative fuels. This week, delegates at the IMO’s Sub-Committee on Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping (HTW 11) are hammering out guidelines that could shape the future of seafarer training. The urgency is palpable, with more ships powered by new fuels and technologies hitting the water, and the IMO’s ambition to reach net-zero GHG emissions from international shipping by or around 2050 looming large.
The IMO Secretary-General, Arsenio Dominguez, didn’t mince words in his opening remarks, reminding delegates that the IMO’s ambition is a commitment, not a suggestion. ‘This ambition must be taken as a commitment that highlights the urgency of developing training provisions for seafarers,’ he said. The message was clear: the time for action is now.
Denise McCafferty, Senior Human Factor Specialist at the Lloyd’s Register (LR) Maritime Decarbonisation Hub, echoed this sentiment. ‘The time is now. We can’t defer,’ she told Bunkerspot. ‘We really need to start making decisions about what the framework will be, what the path forward is, because ships are coming out, and we’re going to need to have people working on them, so we need to now start making those hard decisions about how we move forward.’
The HTW 11 Sub-Committee has tasked a working group with preparing draft interim guidelines, which will see generic training guidelines covering all alternative fuels developed in parallel with fuel-specific provisions. The goal is to ensure seafarer safety as the industry transitions to alternative fuels. The guidelines, while non-mandatory at this stage, will play a crucial role in guiding the shipping industry and maritime training institutions.
Arvind Natrajan, Senior Manager at the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), highlighted the importance of these guidelines. ‘In the end, we want these to be mandatory requirements, so that when seafarers are working on ships that have been constructed and equipped according to mandatory provisions, their training will also be mandatory,’ he said. However, he acknowledged that it’s difficult to envisage when that will happen.
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) representative at the IMO, Lydia Ferrad, a seafarer herself, stressed the importance of involving crews in the transition. ‘They need to be with us in that, as they will be the ones handling these fuels at the end of the day, and the major risks are related to them,’ she said. ‘Seafarer safety must always come first.’
The industry is already seeing a shift towards alternative fuels, and the need for specialised training is becoming increasingly apparent. A new report presented to the IMO by LR, ICS, ITF, UN Global Compact, and the World Maritime University underscores the need for significant updates in training and competencies for seafarers. The report, developed by the Maritime Just Transition Task Force (MJTTF), outlines recommended competency standards for seafarers working on ships powered by ammonia, methanol, and hydrogen.
Kjersti Aass, leading the MJTTF on behalf of the United Nations Global Compact, said, ‘In the process of developing generic competency standards, we have included experts from across the value chain, including fuel providers, ship owners, engine manufacturers, bunkering experts, training experts and others. We all share a common goal to accelerate the adoption of zero- and near-zero GHG emission fuels in a safe and responsible manner.’
The report highlights the need for specialised knowledge around bunkering and fuel storage, preparation, and management to prevent accidents and ensure operational efficiency. It complements a joint submission by ICS and ITF to HTW 11. The MJTTF is currently developing a training framework and train-the-trainer courses, in line with its recommended competency standards, which are set to be launched by May this year.
This news is a game-changer for the maritime industry. It signals a shift towards a more proactive approach to seafarer training, ensuring that the workforce is adequately prepared for the challenges ahead. The guidelines being developed by HTW 11 will provide a much-needed framework for the industry, guiding maritime training institutions and shipping companies as they navigate the transition to alternative fuels. The industry is already seeing a shift towards alternative fuels, and the need for specialised training is becoming increasingly apparent. The guidelines being developed by HTW 11 will provide a much-needed framework for the industry, guiding maritime training institutions and shipping companies as they navigate the transition to alternative fuels.
