Risk-Based Guide To LNG Bunkering Operations

With the maritime industry shifting toward cleaner fuels to meet global decarbonisation goals, liquefied natural gas (LNG) has emerged as a prominent transitional fuel. However, LNG bunkering poses unique safety and operational challenges.

To help maritime stakeholders navigate these complexities, the second edition of Risk Focus: LNG Bunkering developed in collaboration with Brookes Bell offers essential guidance for ensuring safe and efficient LNG bunkering operations.

Understanding LNG and Its Risks

LNG is a cryogenic fuel stored at extremely low temperatures, which makes it highly volatile and poses risks such as fire, explosion, or asphyxiation. The guide details LNG’s physical properties and the hazards associated with its storage and transfer. It emphasises the importance of robust containment systems, hazard identification, and adherence to the International Code of Safety for Ships using Gases or other Low-flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code).

Key operational practices like pre-bunkering checklists, tank preparation through inerting and cooldown, and the management of simultaneous operations (SIMOPS) are explored in depth to prevent accidents and ensure smooth fuel transfer.

Building a Culture of Safety and Preparedness

The guide also highlights the need for a proactive safety culture through risk assessments, mooring analysis, and crew training. Proper planning for emergencies and the designation of safety and security zones around bunkering areas are critical components of LNG operations. By aligning procedures with industry best practices and international regulations, operators can significantly reduce risks during LNG bunkering.

As LNG continues to serve as a bridge to low- and zero-carbon fuels, ensuring its safe handling is crucial for the maritime industry’s energy transition. Risk Focus: LNG Bunkering (Second Edition) serves as a comprehensive, practical reference for shipowners, port authorities, and crew, fostering safe, sustainable, and compliant bunkering operations worldwide.