In China, China Classification Society hosted a technical workshop in Wuhan focused on ventilation safety in methanol-fueled ship compartments, drawing nearly 50 participants from shipping companies, design institutes, shipyards, and regulatory agencies. The event included live tests simulating methanol leaks, evaporation, vapor diffusion, and ventilation dynamics under varying conditions.
Organized by CCS's Wuhan Rules Research Institute, the trials aim to assess the effectiveness of ventilation systems in reducing methanol vapor concentrations and to evaluate the adequacy of existing safety standards. Methanol's distinct physical and chemical properties, compared to other low-flashpoint fuels, have prompted a review of current guidelines issued by CCS and the International Maritime Organization.
Participants included representatives from COSCO Shipping, Shandong Shipping, PIL, China Merchants, Hudong-Zhonghua, Dalian Shipbuilding, and research institutes including Wuhan University of Technology and Shanghai Maritime University. Preliminary findings have clarified the quantitative relationship between ventilation efficiency and vapor reduction over time.
The data will inform revisions to CCS's Guidelines for the Application of Methanol/Ethanol Fuels on Ships and contribute to China's proposals for updating the IMO's Interim Guidelines for the Safety of Ships Using Methyl/Ethyl Alcohol as Fuel.