Ammonia Carriers Can Now Burn Their Own Cargo as Fuel

A Prohibition That's Been Removed, Not Relaxed

The IGC Code previously stated plainly, in paragraph 16.9.2, that cargoes identified as toxic products could not be used as fuel. MSC 108 agreed to delete that prohibition. Under the amended Code, cargoes identified as toxic products carried on type 2G/2PG ships — including ammonia — may now be used as fuel, provided the same level of safety as natural gas (methane) is demonstrated in accordance with the Code's relevant provisions. Guidelines specifically covering ammonia cargo as fuel are being developed and will be added as a footnote to the revised paragraph.

Why This Matters Now

The amendment enters into force on 1 July 2026 and applies to gas carriers constructed on or after 1 July 2016 — including existing ships, not just new construction. This brings the IGC Code's fuel provisions closer in line with what the IGF Code already permits, closing a gap that had left ammonia carriers unable to use their own cargo as fuel despite growing interest in ammonia as a marine fuel more broadly.

What This Means for Gas Carrier Officers

• If you serve on a type 2G/2PG vessel constructed since July 2016, this amendment applies to your ship, not just new tonnage on order
• “Same level of safety as natural gas” is the standard your vessel's systems will need to demonstrate — understand what that means in practice for your specific cargo system before it becomes operationally relevant
• Watch for the ammonia-specific guidelines as they're finalised — they'll sit as a footnote to the amended paragraph, easy to miss if you're only checking the headline rule

Related Reading

• Lithium-Ion Batteries — another cargo-as-hazard question reshaping vessel operations