The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has officially published ISO 22120:2026, establishing the first global technical specification for the safe bunkering of methanol-fuelled vessels. Developed to support IMO guidelines amid a surge in alternative-fuel adoption, the standard outlines comprehensive requirements for transfer systems, operational procedures, risk assessments, safety protocols, and personnel training. This milestone provides the maritime industry with a unified framework to ensure safe bunkering operations, while an ISO working group simultaneously develops a similar standard for alternative marine fuels including ammonia.
Geneva, Switzerland | August 10, 2026 – The global push for alternative marine fuels has reached a major operational milestone with the official publication of ISO 22120:2026 – Ships and marine technology, Specification for bunkering of methanol fuelled vessels.
Developed by Technical Committee ISO/TC 8 (Ships and marine technology), Subcommittee SC 25 (Maritime GHG reduction), the new standard addresses the rapid surge in methanol-powered newbuilds and retrofits by establishing rigorous, internationally harmonized safety benchmarks for transfer operations.
Core Elements of ISO 22120:2026
The standard is designed to integrate seamlessly with existing international frameworks, specifically supporting the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) IGF Code and the IMO Interim Guidelines for the Safety of Ships Using Methyl/Ethyl Alcohol as Fuel (IMO MSC.1/Circ.1621).
ISO 22120:2026 provides comprehensive guidelines across five critical operational pillars:
- Transfer Systems: Standardizes facility requirements, safety equipment, auxiliary systems, dry disconnects, and emergency release systems (ERS/ERC) to prevent product loss.
- Operational Procedures: Outlines strict protocols across pre-transfer, transferring, and post-transfer stages, complete with standardized bunker checklists.
- Risk Assessments: Sets criteria for hazard evaluation methodologies and safety zone demarcations.
- Safety Protection: Mandates safeguards for personnel protection, fire and explosion suppression, and robust safety management.
- Personnel Training: Defines mandatory competency requirements for vessel crews and specialized personnel involved in bunkering operations.
Target Applications & Industry Stakeholders
The ISO 22120:2026 standard provides an essential operational framework tailored for key sectors across the global maritime supply chain:
- Ship Owners and Operators: Ensures safe onboard handling of methanol during transfer operations, protecting crew members, the vessel, and the marine environment.
- Port Authorities and Bunker Suppliers: Establishes clear compliance criteria for shore-based and mobile methanol transfer facilities, aligning local operations with international safety benchmarks.
- Shipbuilders and Equipment Manufacturers: Delivers precise technical specifications for building and retrofitting compliant transfer systems, hoses, safety gear, and associated infrastructure.
- Regulators and Inspectors: Outlines a structured baseline for auditing bunkering procedures and verifying adherence to global maritime best practices.
- Crew Training Centers: Offers vital curriculum guidelines to develop robust training modules focused on low-flashpoint fuel handling and emergency response.
By adopting this benchmark, maritime organizations can systematically mitigate operational risks, including fire hazards, environmental contamination, personal injury, and asset loss—while accelerating the safe deployment of alternative marine fuels.
Building Industry Confidence
The transition to low-carbon marine fuels relies heavily on technological readiness, commercial viability, and crucially, standardized safety practices that give stakeholders the confidence to deploy them at scale. ISO 22120 provides vessel operators, ports, and fuel providers with a common baseline to evaluate fuel suppliers and execute bunkering safely across both international and domestic trades, regardless of vessel size.
With the successful rollout of the methanol bunkering standard, work on which began in 2023, the international working group is already looking ahead to the next frontier of alternative fuels, actively developing a parallel ISO standard for ammonia bunkering.
ISO 22120:2026 Table of Contents
- 1 Scope
- 2 Normative references
- 3 Terms and definitions
- 4 Abbreviated terms
- 5 Transfer system provisions
- 5.1 Facility requirements
- 5.2 Transfer equipment
- 5.3 Safety equipment
- 5.4 Auxiliary systems
- 5.5 Maintenance
- 6 Risk assessments
- 6.1 Risk assessment approaches
- 6.2 Safety distance
- 7 Bunkering operational procedures
- 7.1 Pre-transfer stage
- 7.2 Transferring stage
- 7.3 Post-transfer stage
- 8 Safety protection
- 8.1 Personnel protection
- 8.2 Fire and explosion protection
- 8.3 Safety management
- 9 Personnel training
- 9.1 Vessel personnel training requirements
- 9.2 Additional training requirements for personnel involved in bunkering operations
- 10 Records and documentation
- Annex A Methanol bunker checklists
- Annex B Methanol Bunker Delivery Note (MBDN)
- Bibliography
To download your official copy of the standard directly from the website, ISO 22120:2026.
About The International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is an independent, non-governmental network of 170 national standards bodies that develops voluntary, market-relevant International Standards. With over 25,000 standards spanning global industries, including critical maritime technologies like the new methanol bunkering specifications, ISO provides trusted, globally harmonized benchmarks that drive innovation, ensure safety, and solve complex operational challenges.
Source: ISO