Society Of International Gas Tanker News

Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) and the inland navigation sector with the support of the Central Commission for the Navigation of the Rhine (CCNR) have collaborated with other European organizations to produce the second edition of the International Safety Guide for Inland Navigation Tank-barges and Terminals (ISGINTT).The purpose of ISGINTT is to improve the safe transport of dangerous goods at the interface between inland tank barges and other vessels or shore facilities (terminals).

The Society of International Gas Tanker and Terminal Operators (SIGTTO) has appointed Ian Revell as its new Chief Executive Officer & General Manager, in succession to Capt. Andrew Clifton.SIGTTO President, Steffen Jacobson, said, “I am very pleased to welcome Ian Revell to the Society and look forward to working with him as he undertakes this key role. We have made a considerable effort to find the right permanent candidate for this position, and have no doubt that Ian is the person to take the Society forward in meeting its objectives for the future.

Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM) said Wednesday it has received DNV GL class approval to offer the Liquified Cargo Operations (LICOS) training course remotely via its Maritime Training Centre (MTC) in Cyprus. The maritime solutions provider is now one of the few organizations within the industry with this capability that meet the standards of the Society of International Gas Tanker & Terminal Operators (SIGTTO).With current restrictions on travel, BSM guarantees steady training delivery to its internal gas fleet as well as to external customers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM) said it has launched a new liquid cargo training facility at its maritime training center in Cyprus as part of a wider boost to LNG training across the whole company, reflecting increasing industry demand and more LNG vessels entering the market.The new Liquid Cargo Simulator (LCS) has been designed and developed by BSM’s inhouse technical team and uses GTT Training software. It offers realistic training on a wide range of vessel types: LNG…

Harvey Gulf International Marine (HGIM) announced it has received both ABS (American Bureau of Shipping) class functional approval and USCG (United States Coast Guard) design bases approval on a 4,000 cubic meter LNG articulating tug barge (ATB) construction drawing package; the design accounts for ship-to-ship transfer and shore side resupply transfers. Working closely with its design partner Waller Marine, and in conjunction with ABS and USCG HGIM has developed the design package…

Senior U.S. Coast Guard leaders and liquefied-gas-industry experts from around the country came together the second week of December at Sector Houston-Galveston to prepare for the increased use of liquefied gases throughout the maritime community and gain a deeper understanding of the intricacies each party faces as they adapt to the rapid growth in this multibillion dollar industry. The maritime community is experiencing an international shift with the increased transport and use of liquefied gases. The increased supply created by the U.S.

North America’s first LNG bunker barge is scheduled to be launched in February of 2016, Clean Marine Energy LLC (CME) announced following a U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and Society of International Gas Tanker and Terminal Operators (SIGTTO) hosted tour at Conrad Shipyard in Orange, Texas. Roughly 200 industry partners participated in the tour in conjunction with the USCG Liquefied Gas Senior Executive Forum held at USCG Sector Houston on December 9. The 2,200 cubic meter barge hull construction is near complete and abrasive blasting and painting is scheduled to begin in the coming weeks.

Gaztransport & Technigaz (GTT) announced that its new training center awarded certificates to the first group of delegates to complete a LNG Cargo Operations (SIGTTO management Level) training course. The delegates who participated received training in the cargo operations typically conducted onboard LNG carries in a course which is approved by DNV GL as complying with the SIGTTO (Society of International Gas Tanker and Terminal Operators), suggested competence standard. Located in the grounds of GTT’s headquarters in Saint Rémy Lès Chevreuse near Paris…

Seagull has released the Bulker Industry Training Standard (BITS), a predefined competence management system for the dry bulk industry. BITS is a computer-based evaluation tool to enhance the competency of officers onboard a ship type whose maintenance, operating and cargo handling practices can be unique. As well as providing a benchmark for industry competence, BITS can be adapted to reflect advanced training standards developed by individual operators. Seagull has worked with leading shipping organizations on harmonized competence standards…

GTT opened a U.K. branch office to continue providing the LNG Industry with additional services and support. GTT said it plans to utilize its expertise and experience in the design of LNG containment systems and the associated cargo equipment and infrastructure to help the industry continue its development. GTT’s U.K. team, led by Ray Gillett, will focus on developing new tools and services that maximize GTT’s expertise in specific areas to help address some of the issues that the LNG industry may encounter as it expands. The team will also assist operators in maximizing the operational effectiveness of the systems in which they are involved. GTT’s U.K.

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.

Hyundai Merchant Marine subsidiary has been granted Approved Training Provider status for their facilities and LNG carrier training courses to SIGTTO Training Standards. Lloyd's Register has awarded Approved Training Provider (ATP) Certification to Hae Young Maritime Services Co. Ltd. (HMS), a subsidiary of Hyundai Merchant Marine Co. Ltd (HMM), one of Korea’s largest shipping companies. The HMS Training Center at Busan, Korea trains seafarers under The Society of International Gas Tanker and Terminal Operators (SIGTTO) training standards.

TOKYO—Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) announced the certification of its own seafarer education and training program by Oslo-based Det Norske Veritas (DNV). The MOL Rank Skill Training and Evaluation Program (MOL Rank STEP) received DNV certification for compliance with the Competence Management System (CMS) on April 13. CMS is a management system which improves education programs by identifying gaps between the skills seafarers currently possess and the qualifications needed to fulfill the corporate philosophy. The program also complies with Society of International Gas Tanker & Terminal Operator Ltd (SIGTTO*1) and Tanker Officer Training Standard (TOTS*2) requirements. MOL adopted the MOL Rank STEP Program in 2007.

The International Bunker Industry Association's (IBIA) board has taken a formal decision to “become more closely engaged in LNG matters”. The move was announced at last week's IBIA's Annual Convention, held in Barcelona, by its acting chief executive Trevor Harrison. He told delegates that the association would become more involved in the ongoing discussions on LNG as a fuel at the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The potential of LNG as a fuel for merchant ships received considerable attention. Several speakers referred to the issue while addressing industry concerns about the 2015 implementation of the 0.1% sulphur content cap in bunkers used within Emission Control Areas (ECAs). In addition one session was entirely devoted to the prospects for widespread use of LNG.

Recruitment is the LNG sector’s principal challenge according to a survey of Society of International Gas Tanker and Terminal Operators (SIGGTO) members undertaken by international shipping recruiter Faststream. Fifty-eight percent of the respondents to the survey agreed that recruitment was a big challenge. “Vacancy levels in the shore-based LNG sector are at a record high and we forecast them to continue growing.

American Bureau of Shipping Consulting (ABS Consulting) has certified RTM STAR Center’s Tankship Liquefied Gases course as meeting all the requirements of the Society of International Gas Tanker & Terminal Operators, Ltd. (SIGTTO), LNG Shipping Suggested Competency Standards. This makes RTM STAR Center the first and only training organization in the U.S.A., and one of only eight organizations in the world, to be accredited or certified as meeting the SIGTTO standards. The certification process by ABS Consulting included a gap analysis and in-depth review of all student and instructor training materials followed by a rigorous 2-day onsite audit by a team of ABS auditors and LNG experts.

SUEZ LNG, Massachusetts Maritime Academy (Academy), and the International Organization of Masters, Mates and Pilots (MM&P) announced an agreement to recruit, train, and supply U.S citizen mariners for service on the LNG tankers owned or chartered by SUEZ LNG. SUEZ LNG, in compliance with the deepwater port license agreement signed with Maritime Administrator, Sean T. Connaughton, will collaborate with both the Academy and the MM&P Union to train and employ U.S. citizen crew members on up to nine LNG vessels operating in the SUEZ fleet. As such, the MM&P Union will screen and provide resumes for mariners from 3rd Mate to Master and from 3rd Assistant Engineer to Chief Engineer.