Establishing Green Corridors: Safety considerations to watch out

Green corridor checklist

According to the MTF, the checklist is intended to be used by the ship owner and port authorities as a reference in the planning and assessment of the green corridor to ensure that important topics are identified and analysed. As the report notes, the following issues need to be considered: 

Vessel specific considerations

• Vessel is designed according to recognized safety standards in relevant IMO guidelines, class rules/guidelines, and local authority requirements, as applicable.
• Vessel is approved by Flag State according to MSC.1/Circ. 1455 and the approval is submitted to IMO GISIS.
• Emergency plans are developed for emergencies when the ship is under way (ref. IMO res. A.949(23)).
• Ship owner has updated the SMS and relevant ship certificate to reflect the additional risk from alternative fuel.
• Gas dispersion analysis performed and ship-specific dispersion contours are available.
• Risk to third parties is quantified according to the chosen fuel, storage method, and design solutions.
• The ship’s bunker plan and operational manual should be specific to the fuel.
• The ship’s crew are trained to respond to and limit potential releases.

Port specific considerations

• Port Bylaws and local regulations are updated to accommodate vessels with alternative fuels.
• Restrictions and limitations on bunkering (pressure, flow rate, hose diameter), weather or local traffic are identified.
• Emergency personnel on land are trained and familiar with the relevant fuel.
• Port bunker crew are trained for responding to and limiting potential releases.
• Bunker crew have available suitable PPE for handling, responding, and escaping from a release of fuel.
• A designated escape plan is developed, and safe havens established if identified necessary.

Collaborative considerations

• Tabletop exercise conducted between ship owner and port to identify and understand potential hazards.
• Ship’s crew and bunker personnel are invited to the tabletop exercise to familiarize them with the fuel and bunker systems and related hazards.
• Safety zones and control measures for bunkering are analyzed and specified.
• Specific emergency plans are developed and agreed for when the vessel is in port.
• SIMOP review conducted to analyze acceptable simultaneous port activities is performed.
• Safety critical task analysis (SCTA) and working environment health risk assessment (WEHRA) performed.

Technical considerations

• Sensors for leak detection installed in port, e.g., gas detection, thermal camera, or ultrasonic monitors.
• Bunker hoses, fixed piping, valves, and manifolds are certified for the relevant fuel.
• The bunker system is equipped with a safety breakaway dry-disconnect coupling.
• The ship shore link (SSL) and emergency shutdown (ESD) communication are compatible between port and ship.

6 key recommendations to keep in mind

MTF identified that multiple reports on green corridors are published focusing on feasibility for realization, barriers, costs, and fuel supply. However, safety had not yet been considered in detail for green corridors. Therefore, MTF conducted this study to explore the regulatory framework and provide knowledge and recommendations to ship owners and port authorities planning to establish and operate green corridors.

From the recommendations identified it can be concluded that green corridors enable zero-emission shipping to be launched and tested more effectively. As green corridors limit the scope of operation to a finite number of ports, this allows the ship owner to initiate the recommended, resource-intensive, collaboration activities such as tabletop exercises.

Through collaborative efforts between the industry and governments, there is potential to reduce regulatory barriers and provide early port preparedness. However, this also requires additional effort by stakeholders, which may not be typically required in normal operations.

… noted MTF

The main high-level findings of the report can be summarized in the following six recommendations:

1. Early planning for safety assessments: Arranging introductory design and planning meetings between ship owners, ship flag, port authorities, and other relevant stakeholders is key to provide efficient knowledge sharing and plan for safety assessments.
2. Risk assessment of port operations and bunkering: Zone analysis and safe bunkering risk assessment are recommended to be conducted as tabletop exercises where stakeholders and technical experts are gathered to discuss the operations prior to the first bunkering and depending on the circumstances, as necessary by the local authorities.
3. Use available standards to ease future port acceptance: Recognized safety standards detailed in IMO guidelines, class rules, and local authority requirements, as applicable, should be used as a basis for the ship design as far as practicable. This will ease the potential safety vetting by a port authority and will limit the need for extensive vetting prior to port calls or other operations.
4. Understanding the risk to third parties in ports not regulated for dangerous cargoes: It is essential to facilitate acceptance from port authorities to enter ports, develop emergency response plans, and establish safety procedures for port-operation and bunkering.
5. Sharing of information and invitation to emergency planning: It is recommended when the green corridor is adjacent to the waters of intermediate States. While no formal agreement is required, accidents can occur underway and emergency plans should be prepared for possible scenarios.
6. Develop and implement SMS fit for alternative fuels: The ship management company has the overarching responsibility to ensure that the safety management system (SMS) is fit for purpose in addressing the elevated operational risk of alternative fuels. Senior management should understand that managing the elevated operational risks requires them to systematically address changes needed throughout the organization and ensure adequate resources are provided to maintain safe operation.