Gazpromneft Marine Bunker adopts ISO LNG bunkering standard

Gazpromneft Marine Bunker, the operator of the bunker business of Gazprom Neft, on Thursday (5 December) decided to implement the ISO 20519:2017 standard “Ships and marine technology — Specification for bunkering of liquefied natural gas fuelled vessels” for the Russian shipping industry.

The ISO standard regulates the technological processes and procedures for bunkering of LNG, describes the requirements for the design of fuel transfer systems, and determines recommendations for personnel training, reporting and documentation.

In the medium and long term, LNG is expected to play a “key role” in helping vessels meet the IMO 2020 regulation when a 0.5% limit for sulphur in marine fuel is implemented, says Gazpromneft.

As such, the company is also planning to build the first Russian LNG bunker company and play a role in the legislative and permissive base to develop LNG bunkering operation in Russian ports.

“Liquefied natural gas has significant potential as a marine fuel due to its environmental characteristics and economic efficiency of use,” said Andrey Vasilyev, CEO of Gazpromneft Marine Bunker. 

“Each year, the share of commercial gas-powered vessels will increase, which will require the active development of LNG bunkering infrastructure. The introduction of a new standard in Russia is in fact the starting point for the formation in our country of a new segment of ship bunkering with an environmentally friendly gas-engine fuel.”

Photo credit: Gazpromneft Marine Bunker
Published: 6 December, 2018