Reporter Zhang Xianghui

A lthough China is relatively late in the trial use of LNG ships, she has become the front runner in the promotion of LNG ships.The launch of China’s first LNG/diesel hybrid pilot inland waterway ship in 2010 became the prelude for the application of LNG as bunker fuel for water transportation.At present, with the speeding up of the layout of LNG stations of energy companies, and the increase of the government’s policy support, there is the trend of fast development of “oil converted to gas” on inland waterway ships.It is worth mentioning that as the supporter of shipping industry technology,China Classification Society (CCS), with its technical investment over the years, has played an important technical supporting role in the promotion of “oil converted to gas” on inland waterway ships.

The trial use of LNG ship in China started late, and different from the other countries where LNG fuel ships are mainly newbuildings,LNG powered ships in China are mainly inland waterway ships, engineering ships and fishing vessels, and most of them are converted ships.At present, the “oil converted to gas” is sweeping across China’s inland waters.

For a long time, CCS has always been paying close attention to the application of LNG fuel, and been actively following and participating in the development of IGF Code and IACS unified requirements (UR).To assist the Chinese government to promote application of LNG fuel for water transportation, CCS has not only been involved in the “oil converted to gas” work, it has also undertaken the research and formulation work of all the rules and standards (including related equipment)for LNG application on water transportation.It is worth noting that the guidelines is developed on the basis of IGF (draft)and has taken the characteristics of the inland river ships into account, the coverage of its technical requirements and safety level is consistent with the related international rules, at the same time,the guidelines is self-developed and innovative, it is applicable not only to ocean ships, but also to inland waterway ships.

Luo Xiaofeng, the Director of Wu Han Rules and Research Institute believes that the development of rules and standards need to incorporate the actual condition of rivers in China and deep and scientific innovative research.Moreover, the development of technical standards can not be separated from the support of sufficient technical background.In order to solve technical problems, CCS has invested a large amount of manpower, and has conducted professional technical inspections, investigations and research and solved technical bottlenecks through involvement in the front line work.It can be said that rules and standards are not simply articles and framework, they are a whole set of operational technical solutions provided to the industry.

Zhong Chenkang, the Deputy Director of Technology Management Department of CCS said that CCS has taken up a lot of work in the development of rules for LNG ships, both in the aspect of technology and safety.CCS has played a major role in the promotion of LNG ships.

At present, some key industry standards and technical standards for LNG ships have entered the stage of review, and they are expected to be formally introduced in the third quarter of this year.Obviously,along with the strengthening of policy support and the improvement of the management regulations and relevant standards, the promotion of the development of LNG ships will be regulated.The“positive energy”unleashed by “oil converted to gas” is becoming more and more evident.