The International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) has released a new standard for safe and sustainable bunkering of LNG-powered ships.
The newly declared ISO 20519 ships and marine technology specification for bunkering of liquefied natural gas fuelled vessels also aims to standardise LNG bunkering operations worldwide.
It will also help operators select vessel fuel providers that meet required safety and fuel quality standards.
International Organisation for Standardisation technical committee (ISO/TC 8) chair Steve O’Malley said: “The requirements of ISO 20519 can be incorporated as a management objective into existing management programmes, and provide verifiable compliance.
“The requirement to comply with ISO standards is often incorporated into business contracts and may also be referenced by local regulations.”
ISO 20519 includes a range of requirements that are not covered by International Gas Carrier Code (IGC Code), which is the current existing international specification for the safe sea transportation of LNG in large quantities.

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By GlobalDataThe new standard covers several types of hardware, including liquid and vapour transfer systems. It also includes operational procedures, in addition to rules requiring LNG providers to supply bunker delivery notes.
ISO 20519 also incorporates training and qualifications of personnel involved in LNG bunkering of ships, and requirements for LNG facilities to meet applicable ISO standards and local regulations.
ISO collaborated with experts from the maritime industry, equipment manufacturers, the Society for Gas as a Marine Fuel (SGMF), trading companies, class societies, international registries and the US Coast Guard during the development of the ISO 20519 standard.