IMO approved the draft safety rules for vessels transporting personnel on hydrogen fuel

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has prepared and approved a draft of new rules to ensure the safety of vessels using hydrogen as their primary fuel. This is an important step towards the implementation of environmentally friendly technologies in maritime shipping and shipbuilding.

The draft rules aim to enhance the safety of transportation and operation of hydrogen-fueled vessels, which is relevant in light of the growing use of hydrogen as an alternative environmentally friendly energy source. The use of hydrogen will reduce harmful emissions, significantly improve the environmental situation in maritime transport, and support global decarbonization initiatives.

The implementation of the draft rules will contribute to the standardization of safety measures for hydrogen-powered vessels, including requirements for the design, maintenance, and operation of such vessels. The document covers all aspects of safety from design and construction to operation.

The new IMO rules will complement existing global maritime safety standards, such as the 1974 SOLAS Convention and its protocols, which already contain specific chapters aimed at defining safety measures for various categories of vessels and operating conditions, including polar waters and the transportation of personnel.

The introduction of such rules aligns with the overall strategy of the IMO to create a system for verifying and certifying compliance with safety standards, which has been mandatory since 2016. This will ensure a higher level of control and minimize the risks of accidents and safety threats when using innovative types of fuel.

The draft rules for hydrogen-fueled vessels are part of a comprehensive effort by the IMO to promote environmentally friendly and safe technologies in the maritime sector, supported by international conventions and recommendations aimed at protecting the marine environment and improving the working conditions of crews.