EMSA develops uniform crew training standards for alternative fuel vessels
23.09.2026 - 18:00
The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) has conducted a specialized training course dedicated to the preparation of seafarers for the safe operation of ships using alternative fuels.
A representative of the Ukrainian Shipping Administration also joined the work, the agency said.
The European Maritime Safety Agency EMSA conducted a face-to-face training session dedicated to the definition and development of seafarers’ competencies for working on ships using alternative fuels.
The event lasted from September 14 to 18, 2026 and brought together industry experts, representatives of maritime administrations and educational institutions of EU member states. From Ukraine, the representative of the Shipping Administration, Roman Kovalchuk, participated in the session.
The main goal of the course was to develop and agree on uniform standards for crew training in the context of the decarbonization of maritime transport.
During the five-day session, participants worked on the specifics of working with ammonia, methanol, hydrogen, battery systems and carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies.
Particular attention was paid to risk analysis, operational procedures, bunkering, storage and transportation of alternative fuels, as well as the development of standard operating procedures and emergency response protocols.
Participants also discussed the update of the requirements of the STCW Convention under the auspices of the IMO and approaches to training personnel in accordance with ILO standards.
As part of the exercise, EMSA organized a visit to a passenger ferry in the port of Lisbon, which uses a battery system as the sole energy source for the propulsion system.
Following the session, the parties discussed further steps to improve the training of educators and maritime workers for working with vessels using alternative fuels.
USM previously reported that the head of the Shipping Administration was suspended at his request after accusations by People’s Deputy Skorokhod.
