The Maritime Technologies Forum (MTF), with support from BIMCO and other leading organisations, has published new guidelines to help companies develop and adapt Safety Management Systems (SMS) for ammonia-fuelled ships. Focused on practical, ISM-aligned safety measures, the guidelines address ammonia’s unique risks and complement ongoing IMO work. Aimed at supporting safe decarbonisation, the document offers valuable insight for early adopters of alternative fuels. The Maritime Technologies Forum (MTF) has released the Guidelines for developing and implementing a Safety Management System (SMS) for ammonia-fuelled ships, a new industry resource aimed at enhancing safety standards for ammonia-fuelled operations. Developed in collaboration with BIMCO and other key stakeholders, the guidelines are designed to help operators adapt their SMS to address the unique risks posed by ammonia. Building on earlier work The ammonia-specific guidelines follow the successful delivery of MTF’s Guidelines for developing and implementing a SMS for alternative fuels, published by in 2024. That document outlined a framework for integrating alternative fuels into safety management systems. Recognising ammonia’s distinct characteristics, the new guidelines take a deeper dive into its operational, technical, and training considerations specific to its use as marine fuel. IMO alignment and regulatory context The new guidelines complement the ongoing work at the IMO’s sub-committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (CCC), particularly the Interim guidelines for the safety of ships using ammonia as fuel (MSC.1/Circ.1687). While non-prescriptive, they align closely with the ISM Code and offer a practical, adaptable approach to managing ammonia-related risks in this early phase of adoption. Addressing unique risks Ammonia, while promising for decarbonisation, presents significant safety, operational and environmental challenges due to its physical and chemical properties, including its high