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Genoa-based verification, certification and ship classification group RINA has published a new notation, Gas Fuelled Ships, which establishes requirements for the use of liquefied or compressed natural gas (LNG or CNG) on board ships as an alternative to traditional fuels.

RINA said the new notation is designed to give the industry a regulatory tool to ensure that the arrangement and installation on board of machinery using this type of fuel are such as to provide a level of integrity, from the point of view of safety and reliability, equivalent to that of a conventional installation.

RINA noted that the use of natural gas as a fuel provides the advantages of a total reduction in sulphur oxide emissions, a considerable reduction in nitric oxide emissions, a twenty per cent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions and competitive prices at current costs and estimates for the near future.

The new notation was approved at the annual meeting of RINA’s Technical Committee, which provides technical oversight of RINA’s rules for ship classification, held today in the RINA offices in Rome, alongside the celebrations for the 150th anniversary of the founding of RINA. The meeting was chaired by Umberto Masucci, Chairman of the Ship and Aircraft Brokers and Agents Fund (FAMA) and Vice Chairman of the Federation of the Sea.

Other major new rules discussed included requirements for permanently moored floating units for natural gas liquefaction (FLNG) and new rules for the classification of units operating in the Caspian Sea and in other similar areas.

The RINA Technical Committee consists of:

Chairman:

Avv. Umberto Masucci, Chairman of the Ship and Aircraft Brokers and Agents Fund (FAMA) and National Advisor to CONFCOMMERCIO

Members:

Prof. Ing. Antonio CAMPANILE, Professor of Offshore Structures at the University of Napoli Federico II

Dr. Aldo COSENTINO, Member of the Board of Directors of the Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA)

Dr.ssa Annamaria CRUCIANI, Division 4 Internal Maritime Safety, Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport

Ing. Giuseppe DEMOFONTI, Senior Scientist in Mechanical Metallurgy – Materials Development Centre

Ing. Filippo GRASSIA, Senior Scientist of the Research Area of the CNR

Ing. Domenico IMPAGLIAZZO, Division 4 Internal Maritime Safety, Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport

Ing. Giorgio LA VALLE, CEO MES (Marine Engineering Services)

Ing. Roberto MARTINOLI, CEO of Grandi Navi Veloci

Ing. Luigi MATARAZZO, Vice CEO FINCANTIERI

CV Bruno SPANGHERO, Captain, Head of the Ship Design Branch, Department of research, design, means, materials, General Staff of Italian Navy

RINA is one of the oldest classification societies and certification companies in the world. Established in Genoa in 1861 to serve the marine industry, today it spans the globe as a multinational and multi-faceted company, sharing its knowledge and experience through a wide range of services which help industries and the community to improve their businesses and quality of life. RINA’s services cover the environment, energy, transportation, logistics, safety, quality and social responsibility.