EMSA’s study on the use of ethyl/methyl alcohol in shipping was presented in the margins of IMO Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers, held in London on 5-9 September. The presentation drew a large audience from various delegations.
EMSA had the opportunity, together with the European Commission, and the contractors for the study (SSPA Sweden and Lloyds Register) to present the main findings of the study, highlighting the results and recommendations of the Safety Assessment exercise conducted for different generic ship types, including a RO-PAX and a chemical carrier.
Several safety considerations were discussed, including the main fire extinguishing and detection aspects related to ethyl/methyl alcohol fires on board ships.
The results of the study form the basis of a European Commission information paper to IMO.
It is expected that this will contribute to discussions on the amendments to the International Code of Safety for Ships using gases or other low-flashpoint fuels, and specifically on the inclusion of provisions and technical measures for the use of ethyl/methyl alcohols as alternative fuels in shipping.
Source: EMSA
