51
Fall 2015 Proceedings
www.uscg.mil/proceedings
but many regulations may not be practical or applicable to
barges' specifc needs.
To address this void, Coast Guard personnel consulted with
the Chemical Transportation Advisory Committee
8
and
members of the public to obtain recommended design stan-
dards for barges carrying LNG in bulk, and Coast Guard
personnel are preparing a policy letter to guide submitters
in LNG barge design. In the meantime, submitters may still
provide proposals to the Marine Safety Center, under the
existing rules, and request a design basis to clarify detailed
design issues or alternative arrangements.
The next generation of LNG barges is coming. The Coast
Guard, through industry partnerships, is proactively devel-
oping guidelines to ensure safe development for this fuel
option. The transition to liquefed natural gas fuel will pose
new risks for the maritime community, but it is also a prom-
ising new option for our environment and economy. Since
the move toward its wide adoption calls for a responsible
approach, the goal should be proftable, productive, and
innovative use that focuses on safety, responsibility, and
protection.
Acknowledgements:
Special thanks to Dr. Cynthia Znati, lead chemical engineer, USCG
Hazardous Materials Division, and Mr. Kevin Storm of Global Gas
Solutions/the American Bureau of Shipping for their assistance.
About the authors:
LT Cristina Nelson is a staff engineer for the Coast Guard's Hazardous
Materials Division. She has served in the U.S. Coast Guard for six years,
and holds a chemical engineering master's degree from the University of
Washington.
Mr. Roy Bleiberg is the director of U.S. Gas Development for the American
Bureau of Shipping, contributing more than 24 years of global marine and
offshore systems experience to the position as well as an in-depth knowledge
of U.S. federal and state regulatory requirements.
Endnotes:
1.
IGC 4.2.4.
2.
TRB AW010(1), New Technologies for the Marine Highway, Jan. 14, 2013.
3.
Reference to the ISO Technical Specifcation ISO/TS 18683, "Guidelines for systems
and installations for the supply of LNG as a fuel to ships," issued in Jan. 2015,
may be helpful.
4.
T. Colton, LNG Carriers in Service or on Order, May 8, 2015. Retrieved July 31, 2015,
from Ship Building History: www.shipbuildinghistory.com/history/highvalue-
ships/lngactivefeet.htm.
5.
Argent Marine, "Small Scale Distribution of LNG." Retrieved July 31, 2015, from
Our Business: www.argentmarine.com/lngsmall.html.
6.
LNG America, "Bunker Barges." Retrieved July 31, 2015, from "Solutions": www.
lngamerica.com/lng-barge.
7.
CH-IV International, The LNG Specialists, Feb. 8, 2012. "Safety History of Inter-
national LNG Operations: CH-IV International Document: TD-02109, Rev. 12."
Retrieved July 31, 2015, from www.ch-iv.com/assets/documents//Safety%20His-
tory%20of%20International%20LNG%20Operations.pdf?/pdfs/Safety%20His-
tory%20of%20International%20LNG%20Operations.pdf.
8.
CTAC serves as an advisory committee to the Coast Guard on matters relating to
the safe and secure maritime transportation of hazardous materials activities in
so far as they relate to matters within the Coast Guard's jurisdiction. CTAC mem-
bers represent points of view from chemical manufacturing, marine handling or
transportation of hazardous chemicals, vessel design and construction, marine
safety or security, and marine environmental protection.