Maritime Technologies Forum (MTF), a new not-for-profit government and classification grouping, has drawn up a framework for shipowners and others to assess decarbonisation technology.
It is the first development from the group, which was formed in April.
The framework is intended to provide a shared agreement on the key assessment criteria, while raising awareness of technologies and energy carriers.
It takes a wide range of sustainability issues into account and is based on a systems engineering approach, which involves the full life cycle of technologies.
In the next stage, MTF hopes to develop methodologies for assessment and comparison.
The framework takes eight main areas into consideration: sustainability & environmental, safety, technology status, security, economic feasibility, people, regulatory and engineering.
The framework has been outlined in a concept paper. MTF is inviting comments from the industry.
"The paper signals the strategic direction of the MTF's work to help move towards a sustainable future for shipping. Evaluating and managing the risk posed by decarbonisation technologies is a big part of that effort," MTF said in a statement.
The forum is made up of three flag states — Japan, the UK and Norway — and four classification societies, ClassNK, DNV, ABS and Lloyd's Register.
It was established to provide technical and regulatory expertise to the maritime industry.
The members will work together on research and offer guidance on alternative fuels and increased levels of automation.
