Web Alert: USCG recommendations on LNG bunkering

Following the feasibility study on LNG fuelled domestic vessels operating within the North American and US Caribbean ECAs, the USCG has issued two field notices.

With the stricter environmental regulations across the globe, the use of LNG as a bunker fuel is gaining a lot of attention. The club’s publication on ‘LNG as fuel’ highlighted the challenges related to LNG bunkering operations and provided considerations for the ship owners/operators.

Following the feasibility study on LNG fuelled domestic vessels operating within the North American and US Caribbean ECAs, the USCG has issued two field notices providing the following recommendations:

LNG Bunkering Job Aid - checklist that can be used for initial and annual inspections of shore-based LNG bunkering facilities.
LNG Fuel System Inspection Job Aid - checklist that can be used for initial and annual inspections, including periodic safety test procedures of LNG fuelled vessels.

The Coast Guard’s LNG Fuel Workforce Development Committee is currently developing a job aid for vessel-to-vessel LNG bunkering operations and LNG as a fuel pre-commissioning checklist, which are expected to be released within the next few months.