The maritime industry is on the cusp of a significant shift, as the IMO’s Sub-Committee on Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping (HTW) has just agreed on draft interim generic guidelines for training seafarers working on ships powered by alternative fuels and new technologies. This isn’t just a small step; it’s a giant leap towards ensuring that the industry is ready to handle the safety risks associated with these new fuels. The draft guidelines, set to be submitted to the Maritime Safety Committee for approval in June 2025, are a clear indication that the industry is taking the transition to alternative fuels seriously.
The Sub-Committee, meeting in London from 10 to 14 February, recognized the growing need for such guidance. The industry is already seeing an increase in the use of alternative fuels, and with that comes a whole new set of safety risks. The Sub-Committee agreed that guidance should be provided through both generic interim guidelines and individual sets of fuel/technology-specific interim guidelines. This dual approach ensures that seafarers are equipped with both broad knowledge and specific skills tailored to the fuel or technology they’re working with.
The draft interim generic guidelines have been finalized, and the Sub-Committee has already begun developing specific training guidelines for seafarers working on methyl/ethyl alcohol-fuelled ships. This effort will continue intersessionally under the Correspondence Group on the Development of Training Provisions for Seafarers on Ships using Alternative Fuels and New Technologies. The Correspondence Group has been tasked with developing interim guidelines for training seafarers, including individual sets of guidelines for the use of methyl/ethyl alcohol as fuel, the use of ammonia as fuel, hydrogen fuel cell powered ships, the use of LPG as fuel, the use of hydrogen as fuel, and battery powered ships. These guidelines will take into account existing interim safety guidelines for ships using methyl/ethyl alcohol, ammonia and LPG as fuel, as well as hydrogen fuel cell powered ships.
The Correspondence Group will submit a report on its progress to the Sub-Committee at the forthcoming 12th session of the Sub-Committee (HTW 12). This is a significant development, as it shows that the industry is not just talking about the transition to alternative fuels, but is actively working towards it.
The HTW 11 meeting also addressed several other important matters. The Sub-Committee completed Phase 1 of the comprehensive review of the STCW Convention and Code, with a work plan agreed for Phase 2. This is a crucial step in ensuring that the STCW Convention and Code remain relevant and effective in the face of industry changes. The Sub-Committee also discussed a draft MSC resolution on the accessibility of information on seafarer medical certificates and recognized medical practitioners, validated revised model courses for seafarer training, and addressed reports on fraudulent certificates.
The development of these interim guidelines for training seafarers on ships using alternative fuels and new technologies is a significant step forward for the industry. It shows that the industry is taking the transition to alternative fuels seriously and is actively working towards ensuring that seafarers are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to handle these new fuels safely. This could shape future developments in the sector by setting a precedent for how the industry should approach the transition to alternative fuels. It could also encourage other industries to follow suit, as the maritime industry is often seen as a leader in safety and training.
