LNG TRANSFER SYSTEMS FOR BUNKER SHIPS

2

Assessing the Hazards of LNG

► Transportation temperature (down to -163C)

• Cargo containment system characteristics

• Insulation properties to keep the cargo cool

• Need for a second barrier

• Risk of brittle fracture in case of leak

► LNG leak becomes low flash point gas

• Flammable between 5 and 15 % in air

► Rapid phase transition (RPT)

► Global warming (methane is a GHG)

3

Facts in LNG transportation and STS at Sea

► No major issues in LNG transportation

► STS operations usually performed for FSRU’s

BUT

► Safety records must be kept in LNG bunkering

• Assessment of the transfer system is key

• Diversity of bunker and gas fuel ships

• Standard transfer systems and components

4

► Ship-To-Ship – LNG transfer – HAZID, HAZOP, QRA for a specific

operation or in order to fulfil EN1474-3 requirements

► Over 1.000 STS LNG transfer operations at sea

• Flexible hoses

• Excelerate, Exmar, Anthony Veder, etc

STS LNG Transfer Qualification

5

Loading Arms / STS LNG Transfer at Open Sea

► Relative motions between the units

► Storms, winds, tidal, currents, etc

► Suitable mooring devices and fenders

► Operational guidelines

► Sudden change in the conditions

• ESD system activation

• Disconnection

6

Diversification of Customers for LNG Bunkering

•FURETANK Courtesy

7

Small scale terminal

LNG Bunkering Chain Expansion

Truck to Ship / Bunkering station

2002

2012Terminal to Ship

Shore to Ship

2017

On purpose new builds5.000-8.000 m3

Ship to Ship

Typically less than

200 m3

Typically less than

1000 m3

Limited by

Ship’s

dimensions

8

► NYK / ENGIE / MITSUBISHI CORP. / FLUXYS just delivered

► 5.800 m3 SIRIUS VEDER under construction

► Multi-fuel bunker tankers (HFO/MGO/LNG)

► GTT membrane designs (4.000, 5.000 & 6.500 m3)

Courtesy of Sirius Veder

LNG Bunkering Chain Expansion. Bunker ships

HFO/MGO/LNG

Courtesy of Suazdiaz5.100 m3 LBV built at HHIC

Courtesy of Engie

9

Courtesy of Houlder / Klaw

Technical Aspects of LNG Transfer Systems

► Suitable for cryogenic applications

• Adequate materials to cope with LNG temperature

• To withstand thermal cycles and

• To avoid fracture of materials

► Design to cover the required operating envelope(s)

• Articulated system (crane, arm, boom, davit, etc)

• Flexible hoses

► Appropriate equipment to avoid leaks

• Connection and disconnection is key

• Emergency disconnection possible in any event

10

► Main lines (supply and/or recovery)

• LNG supply

• Vapour return

• Inert gas supply

• Recovery of LNG from gas fuel ship?

► Typical components

• Crane, arm or handling structure

• Couplings (QCDC) and ERS

• Communication links & ESD systems, etc

Examples of Transfer System Lay-out

Diagrams of LNG bunkering

11

Components of Transfer System – Handling System

Courtesy of GTT Hybrid solution

► Crane parts (boom, pedestal, swivels, counterweights, bearing, etc)

► Pipes, hoses and valves (insulation if required)

► Systems (winches, hydraulic and or pneumatic devices, cylinders,

panels) to handle LNG parts described in the next slides

Courtesy of FMC

12

LNG Parts of Transfer System - Hoses

► Flexible pipes – hoses (Gutteling, Nexans, etc)

► Life span of hoses (identification, storage and disposal)

► Length/bending radius of transfer hoses

Courtesy of GuttelingCourtesy of TNO

13

LNG Parts of Transfer System - Couplings

► Cryogenic break away couplings

• The “weak link” of the transfer system

• Spring / hydraulic (pneumatic) release

► Cryogenic dry couplings (QCDC)

Courtesy of Klaw

Courtesy of Mann Tek

Courtesy of Arta

14

Regulations and Standards

► Two main IMO Codes involved

• IGF → Receiving ship

• IGC → Bunkering ship

► And in between ?

15

► ISO/TC 67/WG 10 PT1 → Technical specification ISO/TS 18683:2015 Guidelines for systems and installations for supply of LNG as fuel to ships

• EN 1474-1 “Design and testing of marine transfer systems”

Part 1: Design and testing of transfer arms,

• EN 1474-2 “Design and testing of marine transfer systems”

Part 1: Design and testing of transfer hoses, and

• EN 1474-3 “Design and testing of marine transfer systems”

Part 1: Offshore transfer systems.

Standards for LNG Bunkering

16

Standards for LNG Bunkering

► NEW ISO 20519 - Ships and marine technology - Specification for bunkering of liquefied natural gas fuelled vessels

• Components to meet or exceed engineering standards, the IGC/IGF Codes, in addition to other requirements listed in the document.

Courtesy of Klaw

17

► ISO 16904:2016 - Ships and marine technology - Specification for

bunkering of liquefied natural gas fuelled vessels• Length, configuration, description of the arms

• Swivel joints, structural bearings, accessories, pipework and fitting, welding,

corrosion and embrittlement protection and maintenance

Standards for LNG Bunkering

► ISO 20519 - Reference to ISO 16904:2016

18

► ISO/AWI 21593 - Marine LNG fuel bunkering quick connect/disconnectcoupling standard (QCDC)

• Still a working document

• LNG fuel supply will not be regional

• Standard coupling preferable worldwide

Standards for LNG Bunkering

Courtesy of Klaw

Courtesy of Mann Tek

Courtesy of Arta

19

► BV NI.618 LNG Bunkering guidelines

► BV NR.620 LNG Bunkering ships

• Technical and functional requirements for the

LNG transfer system

• Additional requirements for the ship itself

► IACS Rec 142 LNG Bunkering Guidelines

• BV involved in project management

Classification Rules & Guidelines for LNG Bunkering

20

► Transfer system on board of 5.100 m3 bunkering vessel

► HAZOP of LNG transfer system in order to support its qualification

► Qualification of the LNG Transfer system

• Design assessment

• Certification of components

► Final attestation of compliance

Application of NR.620 Regulation

21

AiP / HAZID for GTT Reach4 System

► HAZID workshop

► AiP in 2014 based in Hazid report & other relevant info

► LNG bunker ships (4.000 – 6.500 m3)

Courtesy of GTT

Courtesy of GTT

22

Courtesy of Engie

Move Forward with Confidence

THANK YOUSpeaker: Carlos GUERRERO

carlos.guerrero@bureauveritas.com