Bureau Veritas Awards GTT AIP for LNG Bunker Mast

Gaztransport & Technigaz (GTT) announced today that it has received approval in principle (AIP) from Bureau Veritas for its bunker mast design, REACH4, (Refueling Equipment Arm, Methane (CH4)).

The use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a fuel for all types of transport vessels is evolving, and with it comes the requirement for basic equipment to ensure safe and simple LNG bunkering.

GTT has drawn on years of experience with LNG to create a bunker mast system called REACH4, designed to fit on the LNG bunker vessel, permitting a simple and safe transfer of LNG fuel to a client vessel. Developed by GTT engineers, this new system applies methods for conventional fuelling adapted to constraints specific to LNG and is well-suited to bunker most ships, whatever their bunker station arrangement, GTT said.

For safety purposes, REACH4 will be fitted with breakaway couplings for safe and reliable emergency disconnections. A patented configuration prevents rapid disconnections and keeps the breakaway couplings in a fixed position on the mast to ensure simple and safe deployment.

GTT said it is currently in discussions with numerous partners, both equipment manufacturers and end users to ensure that the final design is adapted to the needs of the market as a whole. The system is already being integrated in bunker vessels designs.

GTT CEO, Philippe Berterottière, stated, "With today's announcement, GTT affirms its focus on designing applications that will bolster the use of LNG as a fuel. Our engineers continually seek to create innovative and simplified solutions to help build the infrastructure necessary to boost the expansion of LNG as a fuel."

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