Coast Guard Releases Draft Policy Letters on LNG Safety When Used as Ship Fuel
The U.S. Coast Guard issued a notice seeking public comment on two draft policy letters regarding safety measures for LNG when used as ship fuel. The first draft policy letter provides voluntary guidance for LNG fuel transfer operations on vessels using natural gas as fuel in U.S. waters, as well as training of personnel on those vessels. It recommends transfer and personnel training measures intended to achieve a level of safety equivalent to the standards applicable to traditional fueled vessels. It would apply to vessels equipped to receive LNG for use as fuel, but not to vessels carrying LNG as cargo that use boil-off gas as fuel. The second draft policy letter discusses voluntary guidance and existing regulations applicable to vessels and waterfront facilities conducting LNG marine fuel transfer (bunkering) operations, and provides voluntary guidance on safety, security, and risk assessment measures for such operations.