SGMF advances LNG safety standards with new guidance

The Society for Gas as a Marine Fuel (SGMF) has published two new guidelines to improve the safety of LNG-fueled ships. The documents are intended to assist greater standardisation in crew competency and vessel design.

SGMF’s Operation of ships with Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) – competency and assessment guidelines defines the skills required for any party involved in the preparation, storage, handling and use of gas as a marine fuel. The guidance can also be used by organizations developing training in these competencies.

Ray Gillett, General Manager, GTT Training and Chair of SGMF Working Group 14 said: “The use of LNG as a fuel on marine vessels is expanding quickly. To ensure that these vessels are operated safely and efficiently it is important that crews fully understand what they are dealing with. These guidelines provide a basis for operators and training organisations to implement the necessary training to achieve that aim.”

A new Technical Guidance Note recommends on the best locations for bunker manifolds or bunker stations on gas-fueled ships. The guidance complements existing SGMF documentation on manifold arrangements and is intended to promote compatible bunkering operations across a widening range of bunkering facilities and installations.

Bob Kamb, a member of SGMF Working Group 6.5 and formerly Manager, LNG Services ABS Group Consulting Inc, said: “Seafarers frequently complain that ship designers don’t have to sail the ships they build. This guidance alleviates that complaint by providing a decision support framework for optimizing bunker manifold location. This is a useful tool resulting in safer, easier to implement and more efficient LNG bunkering operations.”

Both publications were prepared by working groups comprising SGMF members. They, along with an extensive library of other guidance, are available freely as part of SGMF membership. Non-members can also purchase hard copies.

Mark Bell, General Manager, SGMF added: “The rhetoric around LNG is rising to fever pitch, but SGMF remains a calm voice calling for consistent safety standards to be applied to the most widely available of shipping’s alternative fuels. We are delighted that our working groups have been able to contribute further to the consolidation of safety standards with these two important publications.”