By
Rebecca Gibson |
International classification society Bureau Veritas (BV) has published a comprehensive set of guidelines on LNG bunkering to help accelerate the adoption of LNG as marine fuel.
BV’s Guidance on LNG Bunkering NI 618 provides recommendations on LNG bunkering, which are focused on establishing a framework that can be adopted by both port authorities and bunkering organisations before commercial operation begins. The guidelines also outline the conditions that should be observed before, during and after each bunkering operation, as well as how to manage emergency situations and train staff involved in bunkering operations.
“We really believe that LNG has great potential as a clean fuel for shipping, but fears over its availability in the bunker chain are holding back owners from adopting it,” said Jean-Francois Segretain, technical director of the Marine and Offshore Division at BV. “Part of the issue is that ports and terminals wishing to provide LNG as bunkers and shipowners wishing to have LNG-powered ships do not have established international standard bunker procedures to work to. BV has extensive experience with LNG in the marine context and we hope that these guidelines will give ports, terminals, LNG suppliers and shipowners confidence to proceed.”
BV has already carried out extensive risk analysis for LNG bunkering and has helped shipowners such as Brittany Ferries to develop strategies for LNG adoption. The organisation also provides training for all personnel involved in LNG bunkering operations, including the senior ship management team, engineers, port management teams and LNG bunker staff.
“Our risk management expertise combined with our deep LNG experience means we can help everyone involved to be more confident of a safe and standard approach to LNG bunkering,” said Segretain. “LNG is the future, and confidence in safe handling of it is the key to progress. We can deliver that confidence.”