New safety guidelines for fuel cell powered ships

The publication of “Guidelines for Fuel Cell Power Systems On Board Ships (Second Edition)” comes in anticipation of the growing adoption of fuel cells in maritime transport, including for larger vessels.

Fuel cells are power systems that use electrical energy obtained from the chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. Notably, they do not emit CO2 during electricity generation, positioning them as a potential solution to help reduce GHG emissions from shipping.

On the other hand, the use of fuel cells entails handling hydrogen, which has many physical properties distinct from conventional fuel gases.

Safety provision

ClassNK said that to ensure safety, it is critical to take sufficient measures.

Discussions are currently underway at the IMO to amend the International Code of Safety for Ships Using Gases or Other Low-Flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code) to include provisions specific to fuel cells. At MSC105, the interim Guidelines for the safety of ships using fuel cell power installations were approved.

These new guidelines outline the latest safety measures for installing fuel cell power in vessels, including design principles for related equipment, fire safety, electrical systems, control, monitoring and safety systems.

The guidelines also set out requirements for a class notation for vessels that meet these provisions. Moreover, an annex detailing the examination requirements for fuel cell power systems, based on relevant IEC standards and regulations, has been added.

ClassNK’s guidelines are available to download via “Guidelines” of My Page on ClassNK’s website after registration from https://www.classnk.or.jp/account/en/Rules_Guidance/ssl/guidelines.aspx