Portsmouth Port Sets LNG Bunkering Project in Motion

Lloyd’s Register (LR) has commenced a project to identify the technical specifications and develop operating procedures for safe LNG bunkering in Portsmouth International Port. The project will make Portsmouth the first UK LNG bunkering facility and hub.

Leonidas Karistios, Global Gas Technology Manager at Lloyd’s Register said: “Obviously with growing demand for LNG, ports are looking to understand how they can develop the capability to deliver LNG bunkering services safely.

It has to be safety first, and Portsmouth is looking to ensure that they have the right, safe, approach to support operational and commercial ambitions.

With a city adjacent to the port, significant ferry traffic and a large naval presence, there are substantial and varied stakeholder aspects to be addressed.”

Brittany Ferries latest newbuild, scheduled for delivery in 2016, will be gas fuelled, and will call at Portsmouth where LNG bunkering will take place.

Lloyd’s Register will provide detailed guidance to Portsmouth including requirements for technical specifications of bunkering equipment; helping to ensure that the right operational procedures are established; helping to ensure that port safety and emergency planning is provided for; and that personnel competence can be developed effectively and put in place.

Thanos Koliopulos, Global Special Projects Manager at Lloyd’s Register, said: “We can use experience gained in projects like Singapore Port and Viking Grace to apply real project experience to deliver advice for the planning and execution of LNG bunkering to both the port and its bunkering service providers.

We can help Portsmouth to get ready for real LNG bunkering operations, not only for ferry and short-sea shipping, but our global expertise and perspective can also help them to prepare for supporting LNG fuelled deep sea shipping requirements.”

 [mappress]
Press Release; July 10th, 2014