The maritime industry is on the cusp of a significant shift towards low-emission fuels, and ammonia is emerging as a frontrunner. Its potential to drastically cut greenhouse gas emissions is promising, but the substance’s toxicity demands careful handling and robust emergency preparedness. This is where the ASLET project steps in, backed by the Australian and Singaporean governments and co-delivered by CSIRO and MPA Singapore. The initiative aims to bridge a critical workforce capability gap by equipping maritime and port personnel with the knowledge and skills to safely manage ammonia, thereby supporting industry-wide decarbonisation goals and enhancing workplace safety and emergency response capabilities.
The project is tackling the safety risks of using ammonia as a maritime fuel head-on. It is designing, developing, and piloting a specialised training program for maritime and port professionals. This program builds on proven ammonia safety frameworks from other industries, adapting them to the unique operational, technical, and regulatory needs of the maritime sector. The training is being developed through close industry consultation and scenario-based workshops to ensure it reflects real-world operational conditions in both Australia and Singapore.
The program includes practical, scenario-based modules tailored to maritime and port operations, as well as hands-on training using specialised facilities, including live ammonia release exercises at the Australian Maritime College’s Bell Bay campus. The curriculum is being developed with input from Australian and Singaporean stakeholders, including industry partners, regulators, and academic experts, to ensure it aligns with operational realities and regulatory expectations.
Hossein Enshaei, a lecturer in maritime safety and environmental management at the Australian Maritime College (AMC) and the project leader of ASLET, emphasised the importance of this initiative. “The maritime industry is moving towards decarbonisation, and ammonia is a strong candidate as a low-emission fuel. However, it’s toxic and requires careful handling. Without specialised training, the risks to workers, vessels, and port operations are considerable. This project aims to equip maritime and port personnel with the knowledge and skills to safely manage ammonia, thereby supporting industry-wide decarbonisation goals and enhancing workplace safety and emergency response capabilities.”
The program aims to design, develop, and pilot a comprehensive safety training program for maritime and port personnel working with ammonia. It also seeks to create practical training for first-time users of ammonia in developing and deploying ammonia energy technologies and systems. Additionally, it will identify and address key operational requirements and hazards of using ammonia as an energy carrier or fuel in maritime systems.
The project will build long-term capacity to support ammonia use as a maritime fuel and enable technology deployment. It will equip professionals with practical, scenario-based training for safe ammonia handling and establish a standardised, industry-led training framework. The program will also foster Australia-Singapore collaboration through shared expertise and training initiatives.
The ammonia safety training program is set to deliver transformative and lasting benefits for the maritime and port sectors by supporting the safe adoption of ammonia as a low-emission fuel. The curriculum is being developed to target maritime and port operations streams, each structured as an intensive short course combining theoretical modules with practical sessions. These include hands-on training at the Australian Maritime College’s firefighting facilities in Bell Bay, Launceston. A live ammonia release exercise will provide participants with essential experience in managing ammonia-related incidents in a controlled, industry-standard environment.
The program’s scalable design enables continued development beyond the initial phase, supporting broader decarbonisation and energy transition across the region and the global maritime sector. It strengthens the safety culture, improves emergency response, and reduces operational risks to advance technical and commercial readiness for ammonia use in shipping. The program also supports the development and demonstration of emerging ammonia energy technologies in real maritime environments, which is a key step toward low-emissions solutions.
For more information about ammonia safety training, interested parties can contact Hossein Enshaei at [email protected]. The ASLET project represents a significant step forward in preparing the maritime industry for the hazards of ammonia-powered operations, ensuring that the transition to low-emission fuels is both safe and sustainable.