The maritime industry is moving toward zero-carbon fuels under the IMO’s 2050 net-zero target. Ammonia-fueled ships are emerging as a key solution. The IMO has issued interim guidelines for ammonia fuel. However, it has not set global standards for treating and discharging toxic ammonia effluent.
Ammonia-fueled ships generate toxic effluent during operation. This effluent differs from conventional aqueous ammonia. It creates new environmental and safety risks. The lack of standards creates uncertainty for ship design and operations.
To close this gap, Korean Register (KR), the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF), and five major Korean shipbuilders launched an international working group in June 2025. The shipbuilders include HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, HD Hyundai Samho, Samsung Heavy Industries, and Hanwha Ocean. The Korea Testing & Research Institute (KTR) also joined the group. The group will develop safety and marine discharge standards for ammonia effluent.
Korea first proposed the initiative at the IMO CCC Sub-Committee in 2024. The Marine Environment Protection Committee approved it in April 2025.
The working group met for the first time in 2026 on February 5 at the HD Hyundai Global R&D Center. Members plan to submit draft standards to the IMO PPR Sub-Committee in 2026 and 2027.
At the upcoming IMO PPR session, Korea will call for urgent action. It will propose forming an Expert Group for technical discussions. KR is leading the effort. It is providing data on safe discharge limits based on environmental impact studies.
The initiative allows Korea to shape future global rules. It also strengthens the competitiveness of Korean shipbuilders.
KR Executive Vice President Kim Kyungbok said: “The IMO discussions mark a turning point. KR will work with government and industry to embed Korean standards into global regulations.”
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