LGC NCOE Logo    

LIQUEFIED GAS CARRIER
NATIONAL CENTER OF EXPERTISE

 

   

 

Safety Alerts and Bulletins Specific to Liquefied Gas Bunkering

LGCNCOE Field Notices Specific to Liquefied Gas Bunkering

USCG Policy Letters Specific to Liquefied Gas Bunkering

  • CG-ENG Policy Letter 02-24 (2024)  Guidance on Lightering and Ship to Ship Transfer Operations Involving Hazardous Materials other than Oil
  • CG-OES Policy Letter 01-17  (2017) Guidance for Evaluating Simultaneous (SIMOPS) During Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Fuel Transfer Operations
  • CG-OES Policy Letter 02-15 (2015)  Guidance related to Vessels and Waterfront Facilities Conducting Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Marine Fuel transfer (Bunkering) Operations
  • CG-OES Policy Letter 01-15 (2015)  Guidelines for Liquefied Natural Gas Fuel Transfer Operations and Training of Personnel of Vessels Using Natural Gas as Fuel
  • CG-CVC ECA Job Aid (2012)   Job Aid for Compliance and Enforcement of the Emission Control Areas
  • CG-543 Policy Letter 11-01 (2011)    Guidelines for Coast Guard Evaluations of Compliance with The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Vessel General Permit (VGP) for Discharges Incidental to the Normal Operation of Vessels

    On 7 May 2024, the U.S. Coast Guard Office of Design and Engineering Standards (CG-ENG) published Policy Letter 02-24, Guidance on Commandant Approval of Lightering and Ship to Ship Transfer Operations Involving Hazardous Materials Other Than Oil. 

    Vessels conducting ship-to-ship (STS) transfers of liquefied natural gas and other hazardous materials outside the baseline are required to seek Commandant (COMDT) approval concurrent with local COTP approval to conduct these STS operations. CG-ENG has been evaluating and approving these requests before referring the vessels to the local COTP for final approval, which has added time and additional paperwork to the process.

    This Policy Letter outlines the procedure for COMDT acceptance of the STS transfer prior to COTP concurrence. Vessels wishing to conduct STS transfers outside the baseline should follow the procedure outlined in the Policy Letter.  

    The full text of the 02-24 (May 2024) policy letter can be found on CG-ENG’s policy listing website: CG-ENG Policy (uscg.mil)

    Any questions or feedback related to this Policy Letter should be directed to CG-ENG at CGENG@uscg.mil.

Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circulars Specific to Liquefied Gas Bunkering

  • NVIC 01-2011  Guidance Related to Waterfront Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Facilities.
  • NVIC 07-04, Change 1  Ballast Water Management for the Control of Aquatic Nuisance Species in the Waters of the United States.
  • NVIC 04-03, Change 3  Guidance for verification of vessel security plans on domestic vessels in accordance with the regulations mandated by the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) regulations and International Ship & Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code
  • NVIC 02-88  Inerting Requirements for Chemical Tankers and Gas Carriers.
  • NVIC 05-81  Literature Concerning Hazardous Cargoes.
  • NVIC 05-79  Inerting and Cleaning Procedures for Alkylene Oxide Containment and Systems.
  • Click Here  for a list of all NVICs.

Additional Guidance Specific to Liquefied Gas Bunkering

Code of Federal Regulations                                        

U.S. Code - USC Title 46 - Shipping