Methanol safety risks drive new SMS guidance for shipping

It addresses hazards including toxicity, low flashpoint, and invisible flames.

The Maritime Technologies Forum (MTF) has published guidelines to help shipping companies develop new Safety Management Systems (SMS) and strengthen existing ones for ships using methanol as fuel.

The guidelines address safety risks associated with methanol as the maritime industry increases its use of lower-carbon fuels.

MTF said methanol's liquid state under ambient conditions, compatibility with existing fuel infrastructure, and growing adoption make it a viable alternative fuel.

However, it also noted that its toxicity, low flashpoint, and invisible vapour and flame characteristics require additional procedural controls and risk management measures.

Developed with the Forum's members and industry stakeholders, the guidelines provide methanol-specific recommendations across all functional areas of an SMS under the International Safety Management Code.

The report calls for risk-based decision-making, continuous improvement, and the use of lessons from hazardous occurrences, near misses, and accidents involving methanol fuel.

It also recommends SMS that can support mixed-fuel operations, where ships carry and use both conventional fuels and methanol during the transition to lower-carbon shipping.

The guidelines identify crew competency as a key element of safe methanol operations and recommend that companies assess training, familiarisation, and resource requirements according to individual roles and responsibilities.

Nick Brown, CEO of Lloyd's Register, said that whilst International Maritime Organization regulatory discussions continued, shipowners and operators were moving ahead with alternative fuel retrofits and newbuilds.

“For those choosing methanol, these guidelines provide practical recommendations to ensure SMS appropriately reflects its characteristics as a fuel,” Brown said.

Capt. M. Segar, Chief Marine Officer and Senior Advisor at the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, described the guidelines as “a practical reference for companies developing or strengthening their SMS for ships using methanol as fuel.”