LNG SHIPPING SUGGESTED COMPETENCY STANDARDS Guidance and Suggested Best Practice for The LNG Industry in the 21st Century Second Edition SIGTTO First Edition November 2005 Second Edition 2008 ISBN 978 1 905331 36 9 Copyright of SIGTTO, Bermuda British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. Notice of Terms of Use While any advice given in this document has been developed using the best information currently available to the Society of International Gas Tanker and Terminal Operators Ltd (SIGTTO) as received from its membership, it is intended purely as guidance to be used at the user’s own risk. No responsibility is accepted by SIGTTO, or any officer, director, employee, representative or the membership of SIGTTO, or by any person, firm, corporation or organisation who, or which, has been in any way concerned with the furnishing of information or data, the compilation or any translation, publishing, supply or sale of the document for the accuracy of any information or advice given in the document or any omission from the document or for any consequence whatsoever resulting directly or indirectly from the compliance with or adoption of in whole or in part any guidance contained in the document even if caused by a failure to exercise reasonable care. Printed & bound in Great Britain by Bell & Bain Ltd. Glasgow Published in 2008 by Witherby Seamanship International Ltd 4 Dunlop Square, Livingston, Edinburgh, EH54 8SB Scotland, UK Tel No: +44(0)1506 463 227 Fax No: +44(0)1506 468 999 Email: info@emailws.com www.witherbyseamanship.com III INTRODUCTION The Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) shipping industry has an exceptional safety record. This is a record the industry can be very proud of. LNG shipping, at the beginning of the 21st century, is experiencing a period of expansion and change unlike anything the industry has seen in the past. This expansion is to be welcomed, however, it will also bring with it many issues and challenges to which the industry will have to respond or pre-empt in order to maintain its excellent safety record and ensure that the public has confidence in the transportation of LNG by sea. One of the biggest issues will be in respect of how to ensure that shortages of seagoing personnel, with experience of LNG ships, do not affect the ability to effectively man the expanding LNG fleet. In this respect, at present there is an absence of industry accepted operational training standards specifically for officers serving on LNG vessels. Therefore, with a view to maintaining the quality of such officers, SIGTTO developed these LNG Operational Standards for officers with the intention of their being adopted as the industry’s default best practice standard. The standards are not considered to be incapable of improvement and SIGTTO encourages individual operators to consider any additional or more appropriate standards that may be suitable, to their specific operations, ships or trades. The project commenced in early 2005 with the first of a series of working groups utilising the experience within the SIGTTO membership. The standards were approved by the SIGTTO board in November 2005. These standards have been written using the “competence based methodology” which is used in STCW and widely throughout industry in general. They are offered by SIGTTO as guidance to the industry and, as such, their adoption and implementation cannot be, and is not, mandatory. However, the standards are produced after consultation within the industry and are intended to represent the default best practice operational training standard for officers serving onboard LNG vessels. They also apply to the specific rank, if carried. For example some LNG vessels do not carry electricians or cargo engineers. IV HOW TO USE THESE STANDARDS Each of the main sections, ie: • Deck – Management • Deck – Operational • Cargo Equipment – Management • Cargo Equipment – Operational presents a summary of the tasks and knowledge that are considered necessary to perform satisfactorily within each of the stipulated groups. To provide guidance on usage, the following example is given to illustrate the knowledge required in a particular subject for a particular operating group, in this case for Deck Management. Example Section 1 – Deck Management 1, Develop Familiarisation and Understanding of LNG Transportation Requirements, see page 9. This section (and each of the sections) begins with a summary of what the unit is about. This is followed by ‘Outcomes of effective performance – You must be able to do the following:’, which provides a list of general ‘competencies’ that are necessary to function efficiently at all levels within the Deck Management team. There is a second list on this page ‘Management – What you must know’ with each of the numbered items in the list relating to specific knowledge you must have if you are part of the Deck Management team. Reading each of these will provide you with a summary of the knowledge and understanding you should have and the things you should be able to do if you are performing effectively at that rank. For example: Management – What you must know: 1a. The properties and characteristics of liquefied and other relevant gases. (Underpinning knowledge required 1.1 (ALL)) The italicised comment underneath the list item refers to the specific information, known as underpinning knowledge, that you will find in the tables contained within the appendices. In this particular instance, on page 43, you will find that section 1.1 relates to Physics and Chemistry and that the comment (ALL) means that everything within section 1.1 should be fully understood by that rank. You can cross check this by looking at the ‘ticks’ within the tables, following the column that says ‘Deck Management’. V CONTENTS Deck - Management .........................................................................................................................................7 Deck Management (1) Develop Familiarisation and Understanding of LNG Transportation Requirements ...................9 Deck Management (2) Manage and Operate Safety Systems and Equipment .........................................................10 Deck Management (3) Prepare and Implement A Detailed Plan for the Entire Cargo Cycle ......................................11 Deck Management (4) Monitor and Review Cargo Cycle Operations ....................................................................12 Deck Management (5) Plan for and Manage Cargo Operations Under Non-Standard Conditions ...........................13 Deck Management (6) Plan for and Manage Cargo Operations Under Emergency Conditions ................................14 Deck Management (7) Ensure the Integrity of Cargo Containment, Cargo Equipment and Cargo Related Spaces ................................................................................................................15 Deck Management (8) Develop an Awareness of the Commercial Aspects of LNG Transportation ............................16 Deck - Operational .......................................................................................................................................17 Deck Operational (1) Develop Familiarisation and Understanding of LNG Transportation Requirements ..................19 Deck Operational (2) Manage and Operate Safety Systems and Equipment .........................................................20 Deck Operational (3) Execute Planned Cargo Cycle Operations ...........................................................................21 Cargo Equipment - Management .......................................................................................................................23 Cargo Equipment Management (1) Develop Familiarisation and Understanding of LNG Transportation Requirements .................................................................. ..........25 Cargo Equipment Management (2) Manage and Operate Safety Systems and Equipment .........................................26 Cargo Equipment Management (3) Ensure Effectiveness of the Entire Cargo Cycle ....................................................27 Cargo Equipment Management (4) Ensure Effectiveness of Cargo Operations Under Non-Standard and Emergency Conditions .................................................................... ..........28 Cargo Equipment Management (5) Ensure Effectiveness of Maintenance, Testing and Inspection of Cargo Equipment and Spaces .......................................................................... ..........29 Cargo Equipment Management (6) Control the Operation of Gas-Burning Equipment and Associated Systems ................................................................................................ ..........30 Cargo Equipment Management (7) Control Operation of the Propulsion Plant Under Non-Standard Conditions ............................................................................................ ..........31 Cargo Equipment Management (8) Ensure Integrity of Electrical Plant and Control Systems ........................................32 Cargo Equipment - Operational .......................................................................................................................33 Cargo Equipment Operational (1) Develop Familiarisation and Understanding of LNG Transportation Requirements .................................................................. ..........35 Cargo Equipment Operational (2) Manage and Operate Safety Systems and Equipment .........................................36 Cargo Equipment Operational (3) Execute Planned Cargo Cycle Operations ..........................................................37 Cargo Equipment Operational (4) Execute and Monitor Cargo Operations Under Non-Standard and Emergency Conditions ........................................................................... ..........38 Cargo Equipment Operational (5) Maintain the Integrity of Cargo Containment, Cargo Equipment and Cargo Related Spaces ........................................................................... ..........39 Underpinning Knowledge .......................................................................................................................41 Recommended References ...... ................................................................................................................72 43 Entries marked with an asterisk * refer to table of references at Appendix 1 Fundamental Knowledge and Understanding Deck Management Deck Operational Cargo Equipment Management Cargo Equipment Operational 1 Fundamental Knowledge and Understanding 1.1 Physics and Chemistry* 1.1.1 Have an awareness of the physics relating to the change of state of fluids Latent heat Heat and energy transfer Refrigeration and liquefaction of gases Critical temperature Diffusion and mixing of gases 9999 1.1.2 Know and understand the ‘Gas Laws’ and how they are applicable to LNG operations Pressure and temperature relationship 999 1.1.3 Know and understand the physics relating to the change of state of the various components involved in relation to LNG Assuming atmospheric pressure, temperatures at which following components change from vapour to liquid: – Butane – Propane – Ethane – Methane – Nitrogen Behaviour of CO2 relative to other components 9999 1.1.4 Know and understand the principles involved in the changing of tank atmospheres Know the physics involved in the piston purge effect and stratification Know the methods that can be used to change tank atmospheres Know which method should be used and explain why 999 1.1.5 Have an awareness of the parameters for Inert Gas Oxygen content CO content CO2 content Dew point 999 1.1.6 The meaning of ‘dew point’ Know the importance of dew point in cargo operations 999 1.1.7 Know and understand the principles used during tank cool down process Know the principles for heat transfer Know the principles for latent heat 999 1.2 Principles of Design* 1.2.1 Have an awareness of main design principles Be aware of the principles for protection of cargo containment systems 9999 1.2.2 Know and understand the main design principles Know and understand the principles for protection of cargo containment systems 999 Underpinning Knowledge 44 Entries marked with an asterisk * refer to table of references at Appendix 1 Underpinning Knowledge Deck Management Deck Operational Cargo Equipment Management Cargo Equipment Operational 1.3 Regulations and Guidance* 1.3.1 Have an awareness of the applicable regulations IGC Code Classification Society Regulations Flag State Regulations 9999 1.3.2 Know the relevant regulatory requirements for containment system and cargo related operations IGC Code Classification Society Regulations Flag State Regulations 999 1.3.3 Have an awareness of industry and organisational guidance publications available Liquefied Gas Handling Principles ISGOTT ICS Liquefied Gas Tanker Safety Guide Safety Management System 9999 1.3.4 Have an awareness of industry sources of guidance and advice LNG Operations in Port Areas Ship Vetting and it’s application to LNG Liquefied Gas Fire Hazard Management LNG Terminal Information Web Portal 999 1.4 Principles of Tank Atmospheres* 1.4.1 Know the definitions relating to tank atmospheres Flammability range UEL LEL Critical dilution 9999 1.5 Properties of Materials* 1.5.1 Have an awareness of the materials that are used in the construction of LNG carriers and their properties which make them suitable for use Brittleness Co-efficient of expansion 9999 1.5.2 Know and understand the materials that are used in the construction of LNG carriers Where individual materials are used Repair methods 999 1.6 Hazards of LNG and Relevant Gases* 1.6.1 Have an awareness of the hazards to personnel and the vessel from LNG and relevant gases Cryogenic Flammability Oxygen deficiency Flash point Auto ignition temperature Data sheets and MFAG for LNG 9999 45 Entries marked with an asterisk * refer to table of references at Appendix 1 Underpinning Knowledge Deck Management Deck Operational Cargo Equipment Management Cargo Equipment Operational 1.6.2 Know and understand the hazards to personnel and the vessel from LNG and relevant gases and the defences applied LNG Inert Gas Nitrogen 999 1.6.3 Know the First Aid action to be taken in the event of personnel contact with LNG Skin contact Inhalation Ingestion 9999 1.6.4 Have an awareness of LNG fire fighting techniques and equipment Use of high-ex foam Use of dry powder Heat intensity of LNG fires Potential danger of extinguishing a fire prior to stopping the leak 9999 1.6.5 Know and understand LNG fire fighting techniques and equipment Process isolation and draining Water spray protection 999 1.7 Environmental Impact 1.7.1 Have an awareness of the potential Environmental Impact of LNG operations Release to atmosphere Consequences of cargo spillage 9999 1.7.2 Know and understand the potential Environmental Impact of LNG operations Planning to minimise emissions Monitoring operations to minimise actual emissions Action to be taken to reduce environmental impact in the event of release 999 1.8 Risk Assessment* 1.8.1 Have an awareness of the requirement to carry out risk assessments Definition of risk assessment and hazard Purpose of a risk assessment When to carry out a risk assessment 9999 1.8.2 Know and understand the process to carry out risk assessments of planned operations Risk assessment elements (process) How to identify hazards How to determine risk How to establish “likelihood” and “severity” How to decide if the risk is tolerable How to prepare a risk control action plan 999