Ship Classification to Incorporate
Inspection of LNG Fuel Systems
Photo: Exxon Mobil
Bureau Veritas is a professional
organisation for the classification
and verification of maritime and
other technologies. These days,
Bureau Veritas’ inspectors are
getting more and more familiar
with LNG fuel systems on board
ships.
T
he efficiency of international maritime
transports is closely connected to the
free movement of ships on the seas. This
in turn is supported by universal standards and regulations, often relating to
requirements of quality, health, environ-
Ras Laffan Industrial City is Qatar’s main site for production of liquefied natural gas, with an
annual output of 4.7 million tons of LNG.
ment-friendliness and safety in maritime
ship owners interest in using LNG as fuel
“On LNG-fuelled ships, the LNG stor-
As the utilisation of LNG (liquefied
is increasing, Viking Line for one is consid-
age tanks might be situated on deck – but
natural gas) as ship fuel is becoming more
ering building a new ferry capable of run-
they may also be inside of the ship’s hull.
commonplace, classification bodies such
ning on LNG fuel – but no final decision
This depends very much on the type of
as Bureau Veritas are preparing to clas-
has been made on this.”
the ship. The size of the fuel tanks is also a
transportation.
factor: LNG tanks take up almost twice as
sify LNG-fuelled ships and their gas sysSAFETY IS CRUCIAL
much space as tanks filled with tradition-
“Bureau Veritas has inspected and
Bureau Veritas has rules for designing and
al bunker oil for transporting the ship the
classified LNG-based fuel systems on ships
building dual-fuel systems onboard vessel
same distance,” Kaljala calculates.
since 2004. At first, such fuel systems were
and also specific detailed instructions for
only being utilised on board a number of
carrying out annual inspections of the LNG
GOING FOR FLEXIBILITY
LNG tanker vessels,” recounts Mr. Olli Kal-
fuel systems of ships.
In maritime transports, the use of LNG as
tems as needed.
jala, Marine Chief Executive for Bureau
Veritas’ Branch Office for Finland.
“When designing and building a gas
ship fuel may be hindered by the limited
fuel system to a ship, risk analyses are re-
availability of LNG distribution infrastruc-
“As International Maritime Organ-
quired to be conducted in order to substan-
ture – at least at first.
isation (IMO) will impose stricter rules
tiate the adequate safety and dependability
(sulphur content of fuel to be below 0.1
of the propulsion system of the vessel.”
“Because of this, it seems that LNG
fuel might be best suited for ships on reg-
percent) for ship emissions within the Bal-
“During vessels’ life-time, the safety
tic Sea emission control area by January 1st
of these systems will be inspected in the
“So far, most of the LNG-fuelled
2015, the use of LNG fuel on ships is be-
course of our normal annual ship inspec-
ships have been fitted with dual fuel en-
coming more popular. Already, LNG is en-
tions, according to 5-year classification pe-
gines. If necessary, they could resort to the
visaged for a broader range of vessels, in
riod,” notes Kaljala.
use of auxiliary fuels,” Kaljala explains. ■
particular Ro-Ro ships, car and passenger
In general, Bureau Veritas’ branch
ferries and supply ships,” Kaljala mentions.
office for Finland currently carries out ap-
“So far, no BV classed Finnish vessels
proximately 400 ship inspections and audits
ular lines.”
utilise LNG as ship fuel. Among the local
20
seatec 2/2010
annually (Finland and Baltic States).
MERJA KIHL
ARI MONONEN