ABS Publishes Guide for LNG Conversion

The American Board of Shipping (ABS) just published the “ABS Guide for LNG Fuel Ready Vessels”.This guide was created as a way to support members in preparing newbuilds for their future conversion to gas propulsion.

The ABS Guide makes formal the process for those who want to plan for LNG conversion in the future, by giving them a detailed review and approval, as well as an associated class notation.

According to ABS Chairman and CEO, Christopher J. Wiernicki, “ABS is a leader in LNG as fuel, with a number of new building and conversion projects in progress, and there is strong interest in preparing for a future in which LNG takes a bigger role . . . The Guide for LNG Fuel Ready Vessels draws on our practical experience by providing a detailed approval process and a notation that clarifies the extent to which a vessel is LNG Fuel Ready.”

The Guide also includes basic Concept Design Approval, as well as design review for approval in principle. It contains two optional levels in addition, for general design approval and installed equipment.

Level 1: General Design Review

Allows an owner to approach a shipyard with a reviewed design package for the gas-fueled system at the time of conversion.

This level provides an AIP and a descriptive note in the ABS Record

Level 2: Detail Design Approval and Installation

Complete design review and survey of a system that is to be installed on the LNG-ready vessel following the ABS Guide

This level provides a Statement of Compliance with a descriptive note listing components of the system that have already been reviewed

Level 3:

The third level results in an LNG-ready class notation for the system components that have been installed, confirming that the system is in full compliance with the ABS Guide at the time of the newbuild contract.

ABS Vice President of Global Gas Solutions, Patrick Janssens, stated, “The projects ABS has already worked on demonstrate the variability from the designer’s and owner’s perspective of the requirements associated with the term LNG Ready. Rather than rely solely on current notations and descriptive notes to express to what extent a ship is LNG ready, the ABS Guide and notation are powerful tools that go beyond the basics to help clients specify work to be done in the construction phase and when they are ready to convert.”