Ammonia effluent standards group launches

The group was established in June 2025 by Korean Register (KR) in collaboration with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, five major Korean shipbuilders – HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, HD Hyundai Samho, Samsung Heavy Industries, and Hanwha Ocean – and the Korea Testing & Research Institute (KTR).

“This year’s IMO meetings mark the beginning of substantive international discussions on ammonia effluent safety standards,” said KR executive vice president Kim Kyungbok.

“Drawing on KR’s technical and regulatory expertise, we will play a leading role alongside the Korean government and industry to ensure that proven domestic technical standards are effectively incorporated into international rulemaking.”

While the IMO has introduced interim guidelines enabling the use of ammonia as a marine fuel, international standards governing the treatment and discharge of toxic ammonia effluent remain undeveloped.

During vessel operations, ammonia-fuelled ships may generate effluent with physical and chemical properties distinct from conventional aqueous ammonia, creating uncertainty for ship design, operational procedures and environmental management.

READ MORE: KR leads on ammonia effluent standards

To commence its 2026 activities, the group convened on 5 February at the HD Hyundai Global R&D Center, reinforcing cooperation among government, classification societies, shipbuilders and testing institutions.

Over 2026 and 2027, it plans to submit draft international standards to the IMO Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR).

At the upcoming 13th PPR session later this month, the Korean government will emphasise the urgency of ammonia effluent guidelines and propose the formation of an expert group for in-depth technical discussions, supported by KR’s environmental impact assessments.