IMO targets alternative fuel spill response
Participants at an International Maritime Organization (IMO) forum have called for greater cooperation to address gaps in spill-response preparedness as shipping expands its use of alternative bunker fuels. The IMO’s two-day research and development forum, held in Singapore on 21–22 September, examined how the different properties of LNG, LPG, methanol, ammonia, hydrogen and biofuels could ...
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) recently convened a forum in Singapore to address the growing concerns surrounding the use of alternative bunker fuels and their impact on marine pollution incidents and emergency response operations. As shipping expands its use of LNG, LPG, methanol, ammonia, hydrogen, and biofuels, participants at the two-day research and development forum emphasized the need for greater cooperation to bridge the gaps in spill-response preparedness.
The IMO stressed that spill-response measures must keep pace with the shift to alternative bunker fuels, with specific procedures required for each fuel type before major incidents occur. Participants also examined how the behavior of each fuel in a spill could alter the handling of an incident by responders, calling for closer collaboration between governments, industry, and researchers to ensure that ongoing research and operational experience inform future spill-response protocols.
The forum was organized by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) with support from China.
Brief written by urgent.news from Hellenic Shipping News's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.