U.S. Coast Guard Completes LNG Bunkering Regulations

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) has responded to the need for guidance in regard to LNG bunkering by publishing two new Policy Letters on LNG Bunkering, Personnel Training and Waterfront Facilities. With regard to simultaneous operations (SIMOPS) USCG points to Recommended Practice for “Development and Operation of LNG Bunkering Facilities” from DNV GL, an international certification body and international ship and offshore classification society, for guidance.

Since U.S. ports do not have LNG liquefaction and storage facilities yet, ships will for now have to rely on small-scale bunkering. Risks inherent to this practice had not been addressed by U.S. legislation until now, but are covered in DNV GL’s Recommended Practice RP-0006: 2014-01 on the Development and Operation of LNG bunkering.

In 2013, DNV GL developed the Recommended Practice to help facilitate the development of an international LNG infrastructure while waiting for the final release of the ISO 18683 workgroup document on systems and installations for supply of LNG as fuel to ships. It was released on 15 January 2015 and builds on DNV GL’s RP.

Most of the LNG-fuelled ships sailing the oceans today are built to DNV GL’s classification rules. Further information on LNG safety as well as DNV GL’s full Recommended Practice for Development and Operation of LNG bunkering facilities can be found on the DNV GL website here.