18 Operation
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Clasifications Register Rules and Regulations - Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Ships using Gases or other Low-flashpoint Fuels, July 2022 - Part C-1 - Part C-1 - 18 Operation

18 Operation

18.1 Goal

The goal of this chapter is to ensure that operational procedures for the loading, storage, operation, maintenance, and inspection of systems for gas or low-flashpoint fuels minimize the risk to personnel, the ship and the environment and that are consistent with practices for a conventional oil fuelled ship whilst taking into account the nature of the liquid or gaseous fuel.

18.2 Functional requirements

This chapter relates to the functional requirements in 3.2.1 to 3.2.3, 3.2.9, 3.2.11, 3.2.15, 3.2.16 and 3.2.17. In particular the following apply:

  • .1 a copy of this Code, or national regulations incorporating the provisions of this Code, shall be on board every ship covered by this Code;
  • .2 maintenance procedures and information for all gas related installations shall be available on board;
  • .3 the ship shall be provided with operational procedures including a suitably detailed fuel handling manual, such that trained personnel can safely operate the fuel bunkering, storage and transfer systems; and
  • .4 the ship shall be provided with suitable emergency procedures.

18.3 Regulations for maintenance

18.3.1 Maintenance and repair procedures shall include considerations with respect to the tank location and adjacent spaces (see chapter 5).

18.3.2 In-service survey, maintenance and testing of the fuel containment system are to be carried out in accordance with the inspection/survey plan required by 6.4.1.8.

18.3.3 The procedures and information shall include maintenance of electrical equipment that is installed in explosion hazardous spaces and areas. The inspection and maintenance of electrical installations in explosion hazardous spaces shall be performed in accordance with a recognized standard.footnote

18.4 Regulations for bunkering operations

18.4.1 Responsibilities

18.4.1.1 Before any bunkering operation commences, the master of the receiving ship or his representative and the representative of the bunkering source (Persons In Charge, PIC) shall:

  • .1 agree in writing the transfer procedure, including cooling down and if necessary, gassing up; the maximum transfer rate at all stages and volume to be transferred;
  • .2 agree in writing action to be taken in an emergency; and
  • .3 complete and sign the bunker safety check-list.

18.4.1.2 Upon completion of bunkering operations the ship PIC shall receive and sign a Bunker Delivery Note for the fuel delivered, containing at least the information specified in the annex to part C-1, completed and signed by the bunkering source PIC.

18.4.2 Overview of control, automation and safety systems

18.4.2.1 The fuel handling manual required by 18.2.3 shall include but is not limited to:

  • .1 overall operation of the ship from dry-dock to dry-dock, including procedures for system cool down and warm up, bunker loading and, where appropriate, discharging, sampling, inerting and gas freeing;
  • .2 bunker temperature and pressure control, alarm and safety systems;
  • .3 system limitations, cool down rates and maximum fuel storage tank temperatures prior to bunkering, including minimum fuel temperatures, maximum tank pressures, transfer rates, filling limits and sloshing limitations;
  • .4 operation of inert gas systems;
  • .5 firefighting and emergency procedures: operation and maintenance of firefighting systems and use of extinguishing agents;
  • .6 specific fuel properties and special equipment needed for the safe handling of the particular fuel;
  • .7 fixed and portable gas detection operation and maintenance of equipment;
  • .8 emergency shutdown and emergency release systems, where fitted; and
  • .9 a description of the procedural actions to take in an emergency situation, such as leakage, fire or potential fuel stratification resulting in rollover.

18.4.2.2 A fuel system schematic/piping and instrumentation diagram (P&ID) shall be reproduced and permanently mounted in the ship's bunker control station and at the bunker station.

18.4.3 Pre-bunkering verification

18.4.3.1 Prior to conducting bunkering operations, pre-bunkering verification including, but not limited to the following, shall be carried out and documented in the bunker safety checklist:

  • .1 all communications methods, including ship shore link (SSL), if fitted;
  • .2 operation of fixed gas and fire detection equipment;
  • .3 operation of portable gas detection equipment;
  • .4 operation of remote controlled valves; and
  • .5 inspection of hoses and couplings.

18.4.3.2 Documentation of successful verification shall be indicated by the mutually agreed and executed bunkering safety checklist signed by both PIC's.

18.4.4 Ship bunkering source communications

18.4.4.1 Communications shall be maintained between the ship PIC and the bunkering source PIC at all times during the bunkering operation. In the event that communications cannot be maintained, bunkering shall stop and not resume until communications are restored.

18.4.4.2 Communication devices used in bunkering shall comply with recognized standards for such devices acceptable to the Administration.

18.4.4.3 PIC's shall have direct and immediate communication with all personnel involved in the bunkering operation.

18.4.4.4 The ship shore link (SSL) or equivalent means to a bunkering source provided for automatic ESD communications, shall be compatible with the receiving ship and the delivering facility ESD system.footnote

18.4.5 Electrical bonding

Hoses, transfer arms, piping and fittings provided by the delivering facility used for bunkering shall be electrically continuous, suitably insulated and shall provide a level of safety compliant with recognized standards.footnote

18.4.6 Conditions for transfer

18.4.6.1 Warning signs shall be posted at the access points to the bunkering area listing fire safety precautions during fuel transfer.

18.4.6.2 During the transfer operation, personnel in the bunkering manifold area shall be limited to essential staff only. All staff engaged in duties or working in the vicinity of the operations shall wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). A failure to maintain the required conditions for transfer shall be cause to stop operations and transfer shall not be resumed until all required conditions are met.

18.4.6.3 Where bunkering is to take place via the installation of portable tanks, the procedure shall provide an equivalent level of safety as integrated fuel tanks and systems. Portable tanks shall be filled prior to loading on board the ship and shall be properly secured prior to connection to the fuel system.

18.4.6.4 For tanks not permanently installed in the ship, the connection of all necessary tank systems (piping, controls, safety system, relief system, etc.) to the fuel system of the ship is part of the "bunkering" process and shall be finished prior to ship departure from the bunkering source. Connecting and disconnecting of portable tanks during the sea voyage or manoeuvring is not permitted.

18.5 Regulations for enclosed space entry

18.5.1 Under normal operational circumstances, personnel shall not enter fuel tanks, fuel storage hold spaces, void spaces, tank connection spaces or other enclosed spaces where gas or flammable vapours may accumulate, unless the gas content of the atmosphere in such space is determined by means of fixed or portable equipment to ensure oxygen sufficiency and absence of an explosive atmosphere.footnote

18.5.2 Personnel entering any space designated as a hazardous area shall not introduce any potential source of ignition into the space unless it has been certified gas-free and maintained in that condition.

18.6 Regulations for inerting and purging of fuel systems

18.6.1 The primary objective in inerting and purging of fuel systems is to prevent the formation of a combustible atmosphere in, near or around fuel system piping, tanks, equipment and adjacent spaces.

18.6.2 Procedures for inerting and purging of fuel systems shall ensure that air is not introduced into piping or a tank containing gas atmospheres, and that gas is not introduced into air contained in enclosures or spaces adjacent to fuel systems.

18.7 Regulations for hot work on or near fuel systems

18.7.1 Hot work in the vicinity of fuel tanks, fuel piping and insulation systems that may be flammable, contaminated with hydrocarbons, or that may give off toxic fumes as a product of combustion shall only be undertaken after the area has been secured and proven safe for hot work and all approvals have been obtained.

Parent topic: Part C-1
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