Lng Operations

Pilot's License Suspended Following Damage to LNG Facility

An administrative law judge has suspended Pilot John C. McCarthy III's license Friday for eight months, with additional 12 months probation, after ruling that the Coast Guard proved its case of negligence and misconduct against him. The judge's decision stemmed from a March 14, 2006, incident on the Savannah River where the tank vessel Charleston, piloted by McCarthy, passed the liquefied natural gas facility on Elba Island at a speed in excess of 14 knots during an LNG transfer. The surge resulting from the vessel's speed caused an emergency dock shutdown, cargo hose separations, the collapse of a gangway, and mooring lines to part. All emergency equipment at the LNG facility functioned as designed and no LNG was released as a result of the damage. Following a comprehensive investigation, the Coast Guard pursued action against McCarthy's license due to concern that his negligence posed a hazard to navigation and based on the pilot's past history, which included three previous proved charges for negligence. In addition to the action taken against McCarthy, the Coast Guard determined the Captain of the tank ship CHARLESTON was also negligent in his role and was issued a letter or warning in lieu of suspension or revocation. The Coast Guard is responsible for navigational safety on the Savannah River and enforces a Regulated Navigation Area to ensure the safety and security of LNG operations

W&D Delivers Z-Drive FiFi Tug

Washburn & Doughty Associates, Inc. of East Boothbay, Maine delivered Bulldog, a 98 x 37 ft., 6,700 hp, Z Drive firefighting tug, to Crescent Towing of New Orleans, La. Bulldog provides ship-assist and escort services for LNG tankers at the Elba Island LNG re-gasification terminal in Savannah, Ga. Bulldog is a new Washburn & Doughty in-house design and the first tug built at the yard for Crescent Towing. Washburn & Doughty's Chief Naval Architect and Vice President, Bruce Washburn

USCG to Evaluate LNG suitability of Columbia River

The Coast Guard received official notification of Northern Star Natural Gas LLC’s plans on January 18, 2005. U.S. Coast Guard Sector Portland will assess safety and security issues associated with liquefied natural gas tankers traveling on the Columbia River in order to make a recommendation to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regarding Northern Star Natural Gas LLC’s proposal to build a liquefied natural gas terminal in Bradwood, Oregon at Columbia River mile 38.

Hyundai Merchant Marine Denies Rumors

Hyundai Merchant Marine, South Korea's largest shipping firm, denied on Thursday a local report it had begun a debt-rescheduling program led by creditor banks. "It is not true that the company began a debt-rescheduling program led by creditors and the government formed a debt team due to rising debts," the company said in a statement. The JoongAng Ilbo newspaper quoted an official at the FSS as saying that the new debt-rescheduling team was formed as some financial institutions were inclined

LNG Carrier to Enter Service in China by End of Year

According to reports, China LNG Shipping (Holdings) Ltd plans to put the first liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier built in China into operation by the end of this year, serving Guangdong Dapeng LNG Co, an official of China LNG said. A company official said China LNG would also build carriers for CNOOC Ltd's LNG terminals in the eastern province of Fujian and in Shanghai, which are expected to be operational in 2009

Training & Education: Learning about LNG

As the LNG industry continues to develop and grow, the need for effective training is greater than ever. The value of effective training is becoming more apparent in today’s maritime industry as new technology continues to develop and the true impact of the human element comes to be more fully understood. This is true in every sector of the industry, but nowhere is it more apparent than in the LNG sector – a sector in which both established players and new entrants are eager to come to grips

Braemar Engineering Announce One Stop Shop for LNG Fueliing

Braemar Engineering, the marine engineering consultancy arm within the Braemar Shipping Services Group, has launched a new venture which recognizes the growing importance of LNG as a global maritime fuel source.   It will be taking its experience and skills in dynamic positioning (DP), LNG in the marine environment, and LNG supply, and applying them to a new operation that will advise on every aspect of the use of LNG as a fuel source in the offshore sector.

LNG Bunkering Found Feasible in Australian Ports

A DNV-led Joint Industry Project (JIP) concludes attractive payback periods on the required investment are likely. Attractive payback periods from the additional investments required for LNG fuelled shipping, along with no significant legal restrictions hindering development of LNG bunkering in Australia. This is the conclusion of a Joint Industry Project (JIP) focusing on LNG fuelled tugs and OSVs, managed by DNV with nine partners in Australia.

Amarcon and GTT Signs Cooperation Agreement

Amarcon and GTT will develop technology that enhances the quality of sloshing measurement and prediction for LNG carriers. Amarcon, a member of the ABB group, announced that it has signed a cooperation agreement with GTT (Gaztransport & Technigaz) to market and further develop a forecasting and advice software system for sloshing prevention onboard LNG carriers. The agreement was signed at the LNG17 Conference & Exhibition in Houston, U.S.

Transas Offers New LNG Tanker Simulator

Transas expanded its range of Liquid Cargo Handling simulators with the LNG tanker simulator. The LCHS/LNG system realistically imitates the fourth tanker type in the Transas simulator range, which also includes Chemical Tanker, Liquefied Petroleum Gas Carrier and Large Crude Oil Carrier models. Main components of the Transas PC-based LNG simulator include Ship's Hull, Ballast System, Cargo System, Terminal Operations, Machinery Room and Inert Gas Plant