8 Bunkering
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 A-1 - Part A-1 - Specific Requirements for Ships Using Natural Gas as Fuel - 8 Bunkering

8 Bunkering

8.1 Goal

8.1.1 The goal of this chapter is to provide for suitable systems on board the ship to ensure that bunkering can be conducted without causing danger to persons, the environment or the ship.

8.2 Functional requirements

8.2.1 This chapter relates to functional requirements in 3.2.1 to 3.2.11 and 3.2.13 to 3.2.17. In particular the following apply:

8.2.1.1 The piping system for transfer of fuel to the storage tank shall be designed such that any leakage from the piping system cannot cause danger to personnel, the environment or the ship.

8.3 Regulations for bunkering station

8.3.1 General

8.3.1.1 The bunkering station shall be located on open deck so that sufficient natural ventilation is provided. Closed or semi-enclosed bunkering stations shall be subject to special consideration within the risk assessment.

LR 8.3-01 The special consideration shall as a minimum include, but not be restricted to, the following design features:
  • segregation from other areas on the ship;
  • hazardous area plans for the ship;
  • requirements for forced ventilation;
  • requirements for leakage detection (e.g. gas detection and low temperature detection);
  • safety actions related to leakage detection (e.g. gas detection and low temperature detection);
  • access to bunkering station from non-hazardous areas through airlocks; and
  • monitoring of bunkering station by direct line of sight or by CCTV.

8.3.1.2 Connections and piping shall be so positioned and arranged that any damage to the fuel piping does not cause damage to the ship's fuel containment system resulting in an uncontrolled gas discharge.

8.3.1.3 Arrangements shall be made for safe management of any spilled fuel.

LR 8.3-02 Physical arrangements are to be provided for safe management of any spilled fuel during bunkering. This is to include spray shields as appropriate and drip trays fitted below bunkering connections and where leakage may occur. Each drip tray is to be:

(a). made of suitable material to hold spills (e.g. stainless steel);

(b). thermally isolated from the ship’s structure;

(c). fitted with a means to dispose of spills safely, such as draining overboard by a fixed or temporary pipe that has a submerged end;

(d). fitted with a drain valve to enable rain water to be drained over the ship’s side;

(e). of sufficient capacity to handle reasonably foreseeable leakage.

(f). fitted with a temperature sensor to detect low temperature and provide an audible and visual alarm at the bunkering control station.

8.3.1.4 Suitable means shall be provided to relieve the pressure and remove liquid contents from pump suctions and bunker lines. Liquid is to be discharged to the liquefied gas fuel tanks or other suitable location.

8.3.1.5 The surrounding hull or deck structures shall not be exposed to unacceptable cooling, in case of leakage of fuel.

LR 8.3-03 Suitable arrangements are to be provided to protect the hull structure from potential spillages during the bunkering operation (e.g. water curtain or stainless steel sheath/plating).

8.3.1.6 For CNG bunkering stations, low temperature steel shielding shall be considered to determine if the escape of cold jets impinging on surrounding hull structure is possible.

8.3.2 Ships' fuel hoses

8.3.2.1 Liquid and vapour hoses used for fuel transfer shall be compatible with the fuel and suitable for the fuel temperature.

8.3.2.2 Hoses subject to tank pressure, or the discharge pressure of pumps or vapour compressors, shall be designed for a bursting pressure not less than five times the maximum pressure the hose can be subjected to during bunkering.

LR 8.3-04 The hoses referred to are those used for the bunkering of fuel. The design, construction and testing of such hoses are to be in accordance with the requirements of the relevant National Administration and/or Port Authority.

8.4 Regulations for manifold

8.4.1 The bunkering manifold shall be designed to withstand the external loads during bunkering. The connections at the bunkering station shall be of dry-disconnect type equipped with additional safety dry break-away coupling/ self-sealing quick release. The couplings shall be of a standard type.

8.5 Regulations for bunkering system

8.5.1 An arrangement for purging fuel bunkering lines with inert gas shall be provided.

8.5.2 The bunkering system shall be so arranged that no gas is discharged to the atmosphere during filling of storage tanks.

8.5.3 A manually operated stop valve and a remote operated shutdown valve in series, or a combined manually operated and remote valve shall be fitted in every bunkering line close to the connecting point. It shall be possible to operate the remote valve in the control location for bunkering operations and/or from another safe location.

8.5.4 Means shall be provided for draining any fuel from the bunkering pipes upon completion of operation.

8.5.5 Bunkering lines shall be arranged for inerting and gas freeing. When not engaged in bunkering, the bunkering pipes shall be free of gas, unless the consequences of not gas freeing are evaluated and approved.

8.5.6 In case bunkering lines are arranged with a cross-over it shall be ensured by suitable isolation arrangements that no fuel is transferred inadvertently to the ship side not in use for bunkering.

8.5.7 A ship-shore link (SSL) or an equivalent means for automatic and manual ESD communication to the bunkering source shall be fitted.

8.5.8 If not demonstrated to be required at a higher value due to pressure surge considerations a default time as calculated in accordance with 16.7.3.7 from the trigger of the alarm to full closure of the remote operated valve required by 8.5.3 shall be adjusted.

Parent topic: Part A-1 - Specific Requirements for Ships Using Natural Gas as Fuel
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