Classification society Lloyd’s Register (LR) has introduced a new notation for low-flashpoint fuels (LFPF) that will be effective from January next year.

The new design and construction standards will allow the owners and shipyards to make known that their design and construction meet the requirements.

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The new standard has been introduced in the wake of recent advancements in the marine sector such as the development of gas as a marine fuel going beyond LNG.

“Our rules and regulations are evolving at the same pace so that classification’s role maintains its significance in the marine and gas market sectors.”

The classification society expects to ensure safety within the industry with the recent revision of the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (IGC Code) as well as adoption of the International Code of Safety for Ships using Gases or other Low-flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code).

The new LFPF notation will be represented by the associated characters GC or GF wherein GC will represent gas carriers with the gas-fuelled machinery has been constructed, arranged, installed and tested in accordance with the relevant requirements of Chapter 16 of LR’s Rules for Ships for liquefied gases, or is equivalent there to.

Meanwhile, GF will represent ships other than gas carriers indicating that the low-flashpoint-fuelled machinery has been constructed, arranged, installed and tested in accordance with the LR Rules and Regulations applicable to the fuel(s) used.

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Additionally, the low-flashpoint fuel (or fuels) that the ship is designed to use is indicated in the notation using a two letter identifier which are namely NG for natural gas, EG for ethane gas, PG for liquid petroleum gas and ML for.

LR Global Gas Technology Market manager Leo Karistios said: “The innovation in gas carriers and non-gas carriers using gas as a marine fuel has been tremendous over the last two years.

“Our new class notation LFPF is Lloyd’s Register’s response to the market’s evolution.

“Our rules and regulations are evolving at the same pace so that classification’s role maintains its significance in the marine and gas market sectors.”

LR claims that the new standards are applicable to all ships using low-flashpoint fuels under a clearly structured notation that includes the capability to upgrade as the industry matures.

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