To enhance service delivery in response to requests from maritime industry partners, on September 26, 2025 the Marine Safety Center (MSC) issued guidance on preparing and submitting risk assessments for LNG-fueled vessels. These assessments identify necessary ship-specific risk mitigations and are required to comply with the IGF Code (International Code of Safety for Ships Using Gases or Other Low-Flashpoint Fuels).

MTN 01-25 includes:

• Guidance on avoiding common issues MSC finds when conducting reviews
• Relevant interpretations of specific provisions of the Code
• Explanation of Coast Guard documentation for approved mitigations

This document reduces the burden on the U.S. merchant fleet in adopting LNG as fuel, while reinforcing the Coast Guard’s commitment to modernizing and streamlining policies. Questions concerning this blog post should be directed to msc@uscg.mil.