New rules governing the use of gas as a fuel on ships will come into force in 2017 after the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) adopted them last week.
The International Code of Safety for Ships using Gases or other Low-flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code) was adopted during the 95th session of MSC, with amendments made to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea to make the code mandatory.
The changes come as the use of LNG as a marine fuel is gathering pace, and regulators move to ensure the safe adoption of the fuel, which is stored at extremely low temperatures, along with other low-flashpoint fuels.
“The IGF Code contains mandatory provisions for the arrangement, installation, control and monitoring of machinery, equipment and systems using low-flashpoint fuels, focusing initially on LNG,” an IMO release stated.
The changes will come into force on 1 January 2017, along with related amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).
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