Seafarers face the brunt of alternative fuels with little medical support

The global shift to alternative marine fuels is bringing potential new medical risks for seafarers, including exposure to toxic substances and fuel-related injuries, according to Marine Medical Solutions (MMS), a member of the OneCare Group (OCG).

While fuels such as LNG, methanol, ammonia, and hydrogen support the industry’s environmental goals, they are also introducing new hazards. These include inhalation of toxic vapours, chemical burns, and explosion risks, all threats that current medical safety protocols are not fully equipped to address.

MMS is urging shipowners and regulators to ensure medical safety maintains pace with the industry’s decarbonisation efforts, warning that seafarer health must not be overlooked in the drive to meet the IMO’s net-zero targets by 2050.

It is calling for updates to onboard Safety Management Systems (SMS), risk assessments, and medical training to reflect the realities of working with alternative fuels.

“Medical safety management must evolve alongside the industry,” said Dr Jens Tülsner, CEO and Founder at Marine Medical Solutions. “This is a moment of opportunity for the industry to lead on both sustainability and safety. Clean shipping must also be safe shipping, and this begins with those onboard.”

According to Dr Jens, many vessels are still carrying medical chests that are to be updated and no longer entirely fit for purpose. As well as lacking treatments or needed equipment for fuel‐specific hazards and toxic exposures, they also fall short in basic areas such as dental care, women’s health, and pain management. Supplies and diagnostic tools are limited, and essential medications are often missing entirely. In serious cases, this leaves crews without the means to respond effectively while offshore.

“Ensuring that seafarers have access to adequate medical training and equipment is not only necessary for their health, but for the success of maritime green transition,” he stressed.