DNV GL Announces Ship to Ship LNG Bunkering Class Notation

DNV GL's new ship to ship gas bunkering operations notation is said to assist in alternative fuel bunkering in ports without the required infrastructure.

Classification society DNV GL says it has developed a new class notation to ensure safe fuel transfer operations during ship to ship gas bunkering operations.

The organisation says the notation comes as the implementation of Emissions Control Areas (ECAs), which place more stringent limits on the sulfur content for marine fuels, have ramped up demand for ports to provide infrastructure to enable bunkering low-sulfur fuels such as liquefied natural gas (LNG).

DNV GL argues that, prior to the notation, port standards guiding gas fuel transfer operations have "lagged behind" as the maritime industry has been focussed on developing standards for gas fuelled ships rather than bunkering arrangements.

In ports with limited infrastructure, DNV GL says ship to ship bunkering transfer provides an efficient solution, and the new class notation is said to outline the requirements for liquefied gas carriers and barges to complete such operations safely on a regular basis.

"The class notation covers safety issues on the gas bunker vessel, its gas bunker related equipment and installations on board," said Yury Ilchenko, Principal Engineer at DNV GL.

"It outlines requirements for design, construction and operational procedures with regard to connection and disconnection of transfer arrangements, bunker transfer and vapour return.

"Complying with DNV GL's new class notation increases the acceptance of safe gas fuel bunkering operations by ports and local authorities and puts bunker ship owners in a stronger position in the market."

In December, DNV GL announced the release of its new GAS READY notation, intended to help shipowners who may want to convert their vessels for LNG-use after delivery

In May, DNV GL announced that United Arab Shipping Company's (UASC) newest ship, the 18,800 TEU containership Barzan, was the first of 17 newbuilds ordered by the company to receive the GAS READY notation.