2.3 LNG Carried as Cargo
In relation to the carriage of LNG as cargo, reference must be made to the International Code of the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in
Bulk (IGC Code),
14 which was adopted in 1983,
15 and made mandatory through an
amendment under Chapter VII of SOLAS on 1 July 1986.
16 The Code provides the
international standards for the safe transport of liquified gases carried in bulk and
other such substances. The Code not only provides for design and construction
standards, but also those necessary with regard to equipment, the object being to
minimise risk to the ship, personnel on board and the marine environment.
The first point to note about this Code is the fact that the current version was
adopted in 2014 and is a revision which entered into force on 1 January 2016 when it
became legally effective.
There are 19 chapters in the Code. Chapter 1 contains general provisions providing an international standard for the safe carriage by sea in bulk of liquefied gases.
Among other elements, Chapter 1 provides for a definition of “hazardous area” and
provides for a surveys and certification regime using the harmonised survey system
as the default given that majority of flag states have adopted this system. Chapter 2 is
captioned “Ship survival capability and location of cargo tanks”. Ship arrangements
are provided for in Chapter 3, the goal of which is to ensure that the cargo
containment and handling system is located such that in the event of any cargo
being released, the consequences will be minimised. There is also provision for safe
access for operation and inspection. Chapter 4 deals with cargo containment
particularised in Part A of the Chapter. The overall goal is to ensure the safe
containment of cargo under all design and operating conditions regard being had
to the nature of the cargo. Chapter 5 deals with “Process Pressure Vessels and
Liquids, Vapour and Pressure Piping Systems”. Chapter 6 prescribes construction
materials and quality control measures. Chapter 7 is captioned “Cargo Pressure/
Temperature Control”. Vent systems for cargo containment are addressed in
Chapter 8, and “cargo containment system atmosphere control” in Chapter 9. Chapters 10 and 11 deal with electrical installations and fire protection and extinction
respectively. Chapter 12 provides for artificial ventilation in cargo areas; and
Chapter 13 prescribes the instrumentation and automation systems. Chapter 14 provides for protection of personnel. Chapter 15 addresses the issue of filling limits for
cargo tanks, and Chapter 16 deals with use of cargo as fuel. Chapter 17 briefly
provides for special requirements; and Chapter 18 for operational requirements. A
summary of minimum requirements is contained in Chapter 19, following which
there are 5 Appendices.
14 The International Code of the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in
Bulk (IGC Code), MSC.5(48).
15 Ibid.
16 IGC Code - International Maritime Organization, www.imo.org/en/OurWork/Safety/Cargoes/
CargoesInBulk/Pages/IGC-Code.aspx.
696
J. Xu and P. K. Mukherjee
In relation to the carriage of LNG as cargo, reference must be made to the International Code of the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in
Bulk (IGC Code),
14 which was adopted in 1983,
15 and made mandatory through an
amendment under Chapter VII of SOLAS on 1 July 1986.
16 The Code provides the
international standards for the safe transport of liquified gases carried in bulk and
other such substances. The Code not only provides for design and construction
standards, but also those necessary with regard to equipment, the object being to
minimise risk to the ship, personnel on board and the marine environment.
The first point to note about this Code is the fact that the current version was
adopted in 2014 and is a revision which entered into force on 1 January 2016 when it
became legally effective.
There are 19 chapters in the Code. Chapter 1 contains general provisions providing an international standard for the safe carriage by sea in bulk of liquefied gases.
Among other elements, Chapter 1 provides for a definition of “hazardous area” and
provides for a surveys and certification regime using the harmonised survey system
as the default given that majority of flag states have adopted this system. Chapter 2 is
captioned “Ship survival capability and location of cargo tanks”. Ship arrangements
are provided for in Chapter 3, the goal of which is to ensure that the cargo
containment and handling system is located such that in the event of any cargo
being released, the consequences will be minimised. There is also provision for safe
access for operation and inspection. Chapter 4 deals with cargo containment
particularised in Part A of the Chapter. The overall goal is to ensure the safe
containment of cargo under all design and operating conditions regard being had
to the nature of the cargo. Chapter 5 deals with “Process Pressure Vessels and
Liquids, Vapour and Pressure Piping Systems”. Chapter 6 prescribes construction
materials and quality control measures. Chapter 7 is captioned “Cargo Pressure/
Temperature Control”. Vent systems for cargo containment are addressed in
Chapter 8, and “cargo containment system atmosphere control” in Chapter 9. Chapters 10 and 11 deal with electrical installations and fire protection and extinction
respectively. Chapter 12 provides for artificial ventilation in cargo areas; and
Chapter 13 prescribes the instrumentation and automation systems. Chapter 14 provides for protection of personnel. Chapter 15 addresses the issue of filling limits for
cargo tanks, and Chapter 16 deals with use of cargo as fuel. Chapter 17 briefly
provides for special requirements; and Chapter 18 for operational requirements. A
summary of minimum requirements is contained in Chapter 19, following which
there are 5 Appendices.
14 The International Code of the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in
Bulk (IGC Code), MSC.5(48).
15 Ibid.
16 IGC Code - International Maritime Organization, www.imo.org/en/OurWork/Safety/Cargoes/
CargoesInBulk/Pages/IGC-Code.aspx.
696
J. Xu and P. K. Mukherjee