Americas News
USCG Finalises LNG Bunkering Guidelines, Leverages DNV GL Recommended Practice
Classification society DNV GL Tuesday said newly finalised U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) guidance on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) bunkering leverages its guidance on simultaneous operations from its Recommended Practice for "Development and Operation of LNG Bunkering Facilities."
"DNV GL is already doing everything the USCG could hope for and more," said Ken Smith, General Engineer and LNG expert at the USCG Vessel and Facility Operating Standards Division.
He added that the recommended practices and standards issued by DNV GL and the work it has done in other technical committees are helping to shape USCG policies and regulations with regard to LNG bunkering.
Last month, the USCG published two draft guidance documents and invited public comment, with a deadline of March 10, and the final drafts are now available.
The phrase "simultaneous operations" refers to bunkering whilst other activities are being carried out, such as loading or unloading cargo or the movement of passengers.
"We recommend carrying out a full quantitative risk assessment with the aim to demonstrate that overall safety targets are met, evaluate and select safeguards and risk reducing measures and eventually confirm or develop safety zones," said Tony Teo, Technology and Business Director for DNV GL in North America.
According to DNV GL, U.S. ports currently do not yet have LNG liquefaction and storage facilities, meaning LNG fuelled ships will rely on small scale bunkering for the time being.
"This practice harbors certain risks that had not been addressed by US legislation until now, but are covered in DNV GL's Recommended Practice," it said.
According to DNV GL, a majority of the world's operating LNG fuelled ships and a large number of its LNG tankers have been built to DNV GL's classification standards.
Earlier this month, USCG issued a safety alert on fuel switchover procedures, citing a number of incidents involving machine space oil leakages.
