EMSA STUDY ON STANDARDS AND RULES FOR BUNKERING OF GAS—FUELLED SHIPS

This paper is representing the final formal report released by EMSA and containing the study on rules and standards related to the bunkering of gas-fuelled vessels. The IMO MEPC introduced the emission controls which for sure will significantly affect the international maritime industry over the next decades. The introduction of ECA's, US and also Canadian territorial waters implies that the owners of the vessels shall start considering the arrangements alternative to the traditional HFO, and one of such solutions could be switching to LNG fuel.

The document opens with the executive summary, which is followed by the introductory section defining the objective of the paper, limitations to the study and also describing the methodological approach applied. The next chapter has been dedicated to the classification of the bunkering process, describing the elements of the gas supply for the bunkering operations and categorization of the relevant regulatory framework.

The remaining chapters cover the recognized standardization bodies, some of the European studies, status of onshore and also maritime regulations relating to the gas supply chain, existing regulatory gaps, references, schedule of the study and associated milestones, stakeholder consultations etc. Some additional useful information is there in the Appendix.