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 with an industry on the cusp of a major transition. Interest in LNG is at an all-time high, while the ships themselves are entering onto the next stage of their evolution, moving from steam to other forms of propulsion and making a stepchange in size from the 150,000 cu m mark to 200,000 cu m and above. Lloyd’s Register has been involved with the LNG industry since its beginnings and, through a long history of involvement with LNG carriers, has amassed a wealth of experience, knowledge and expertise.

In recognition of this experience, this year, Teekay Shipping requested Lloyd’s Register to develop an LNG training course for its own staff. Following the successful delivery of this tailored training course, Lloyd’s Register is now launching two ‘public’ LNG-related courses for ship designers, builders, operators, fleet managers, superintendents, surveyors and flag state authorities involved in the LNG industry: ‘Introduction to liquefied natural gas ships’ and ‘Liquefied natural gas ship training’.

The former is a one-day course which will help delegates to develop an understanding of the International Gas Carrier Code (IGC Code) and Lloyd’s Register’s Rules for ships carrying liquefied gases. The course will also provide an overview of the history of LNG containment, up to and including modern containment systems, and the basic principles of LNG cargo operations. The latter is a more comprehensive course lasting three days which covers all practical aspects of modern LNG carriage by sea. Starting with a comprehensive introduction to the growing importance of LNG, delegates will learn about the principles of modern LNG ship design and construction, containment system technology and LNG cargo operations and associated systems.

One delegate to the tailored training course designed for Teekay thought the training was “very thorough and in-depth” and said that he “learned a wealth of information on LNG vessels and the industry as a whole”. “Having sailed on LNG tankers, I felt that this course was a great introductory course with good, relevant information on containment systems in current production,” said another delegate from Teekay. “This is the kind of feedback we like to hear,” says Andy Easdown, Lloyd’s Register’s Manager of Marine Training Services. “Having been involved with the industry from its very inception,we have an enormous amount of expertise which we can transfer to other industry participants who are either new to LNG or are already established and want to keep up with technical developments.”

Source: Lloyd’s Register, Horizons, Issue 10, December 2004. For more information visit www.lr.org.