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Leading classification society Bureau Veritas has published requirements for liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering tankers. The requirements, set out in Rule Note NR 620 LNG Bunkering Ship, cover special arrangements for ships carrying LNG which will transfer that LNG to ships using LNG as fuel.

Jean-Francois Segretain, Technical Director, Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore Division, remarked: "Establishing a secure and safe LNG bunkering chain is the key to a swift uptake of LNG fuel across shipping. We believe that small-scale LNG bunker vessels will play a key role in developing that chain. These rules help ensure safe development of this new type of ships. Of the fifteen or so small-scale LNG ships ordered so far, ten are to BV class, so we are driving this sector forward."

NR 620 covers the design and installation of the LNG transfer systems from bunkering ship to the receiving ship and the vapour transfer system from the receiving ship to bunkering ship, including LNG hoses, transfer arms and auxiliary systems for handling the LNG system. The design and installation of the equipment intended for boil-off gas management on the bunkering ship and the design and installation of the gas piping system of the bunkering ship are also set out. There is a separate section on safety arrangements.

Vessels meeting the standards will be awarded the notation LNG Bunkering Ship.

For ships which provide extra facilities or services set out in the rule note additional notations will cover:

RE - The additional service feature RE is assigned to LNG bunkering ships designed to receive LNG from a gas-fuelled ship for which the LNG fuel tanks have to be emptied.

Initial-CD - The additional service feature Initial-CD is assigned to LNG bunkering ships designed for initial cooling down of the receiving ship LNG fuel tank.

IG-Supply - The additional service feature IG-Supply is assigned to LNG bunkering ships designed to supply inert gas and dry air, to ensure gas freeing and aeration, to a gas-fuelled ship which is designed in accordance with IGF Code, paragraph 6.10.4.

BOG - The additional service feature BOG is assigned to LNG bunkering ships designed to receive and manage the boil-off gas from the receiving ship generated during the bunkering operation.