Lessons learned from recent incidents suggest that gas carriers and LPG terminals need to be "joined up", while the US shale gas boom has propelled ethane from a "niche" cargo transported in relatively small ships to a large-scale commodity cargo carried by very large ethane carriers (VLECs). Additionally, LPG's growth as a cargo has boosted its profile as a marine fuel, with more shipowners specifying it in their newbuilds and for retrofits. These were some of the key takeaways from Riviera Maritime Media's LPG cargc handling and safe transfer operations webinar on 3 August, produced by LNG Shipping & Terminals as part of LPG Shipping & Terminals Webinar Week, with the support of WLPGA. With decades in the gas business and now serving as an expert witness, Liquefied Gas Consultancy principal consultant Chris Clucas kicked off by asking delegates whether the LPG business is "really joined up?" He noted the robust framework of regulations, standards and guidelines governing the safe transfer of cargo in gas shipping, including the OCIMF Mooring Equipment Guidelines (MEG4), IMO IGC Code and SIGTTO/OCIMF Recommendations for Liquefied Gas Carrier Manifolds. "What could possibly go wrong?" he asked rhetorically.
展开▼
