Posted - Thursday, May 30, 2013 - Maritime Professional
The Society For Gas as a Marine Fuel (SGMF) is launched as
new Non-Governmental Organisation to enhance safety and best practices
in the use of LNG as a ship fuel.
Following a decision to proceed by the Board of Directors of the
Society of International Gas Tanker and Terminal Operators (SIGTTO) at
its spring meeting in Houston, the Society for Gas as a Marine Fuel
(SGMF) is to be established as a new non-governmental organisation
(NGO).
“The use of LNG as a marine fuel presents a major challenge for
the shipping industry over the coming years,” states Luc Gillet, SIGTTO
President. “I am pleased that SIGTTO is playing a leading role in the
launch of this new NGO. We believe that our participation will yield
benefits for not only the gas shipping industry but also the general
maritime community.”
The use of LNG as a ship fuel lies outside outside the scope of the
terms of reference of SIGTTO as laid down in the Society's bye laws.
However, SIGTTO has unparalleled experience of liquefied gas handling,
including in the use of cargo boiloff gas in LNG carrier propulsion
systems, in its representation of the gas shipping and terminal sectors.
The Society believes that this accumulated body of knowledge will be
invaluable to the nascent LNG bunkering sector.
In the absence of any other industry body dealing with the technical
and safety issues associated with the use of LNG as ship fuel and as
part of its commitment to maintaining high standards across the
industry, SIGTTO has taken on a proactive role. As a first step the
Society was instrumental in establishing the cross-industry Natural Gas
Marine Fuel Safety Advisory Group in July 2012 to advise on the design,
operation, maintenance and training for natural gas marine fuel systems.
The initiative has now been taken a stage further with creation of SGMF
as a formal NGO. SIGTTO can now revert back to devoting its full
resources to liquefied gas shipping and terminal matters.
Andrew Clifton, SIGTTO General Manager, says, “This new industry
body is a major step forward in the enhancement of safety and best
practices covering the use of LNG as marine fuel. All stakeholders are
urged to support and join SGMF.”
SGMF has been established to encourage the safe and responsible
operations of vessels using LNG as fuel and all marine activities
relating to the supply of LNG used for fuel; to develop advice and
guidance for best industrial practice among its members; and to promote
criteria for best practice to all who have responsibilities for, or an
interest in, the use of LNG as marine fuel. LNG carriers using cargo
boiloff gas for fuel are not included within the scope of the new
Society's area of responsibility but the use of any other liquefied gas
as a ship fuel is.
In advocating measures to enhance safety in the use of LNG as fuel
for shipping internationally, SGMF will represent the interests of its
members at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) once its NGO
status is formally recognised by that body. It will consult with IMO,
government agencies and other non-governmental organisations in
exercising this principal role.
SGMF membership will be open to the main stakeholders involved in
the LNG bunkering supply chain, i.e. bunker suppliers, shipowners,
bunker barge operators, port authorities and regulators.
Post to be found at:
http://www.maritimeprofessional.com/News/355064.aspx
No comments:
Post a Comment