The Society of International Gas Tanker & Terminal Operators Ltd (SIGTTO) has issued a publication with guidance on the transportation of liquefied carbon dioxide (LCO2) on board gas carriers.
The document aims to assess the suitability of current practices and regulations for LCO2 shipping, emphasizing a safety-focused approach to address the unique properties and hazards associated with this emerging trade. By drawing on existing liquefied gas regulations, such as the IGC Code,1 and industry best practices, the publication provides insights into the challenges and solutions for safely transporting CO2.
This document assesses the suitability of current practice for the transportation of liquefied carbon dioxide (LCO2) on board gas carriers. This safety-focused review considers current liquefied gas regulations such as the IGC Code,1 and industry best practice, along with the unique properties of CO2. The main hazards of liquefied gas cargoes typically carried by gas carriers are related to the flammability and toxicity of the cargo. The industry is familiar with the safety of products such as liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and ammonia. LCO2 is not flammable or highly toxic, but it does present unique properties due to its thermodynamic properties and the effects of possible impurities in the cargo.
According to SIGTTO, it is practical to adopt a risk-based approach to identify the unique hazards of CO2 and then select the most efficient barriers for safety and environmental protection. Using existing safety measures that are primarily designed for flammable cargoes may not be effective and could hide some dangers.
The importance of training
Apart from structural considerations, it also touches upon the importance of training. According to the publication, structured classroom training should be carried out to educate the crew on the specific hazards of CO2 operations. Training should cover safety, contingency planning, and all routine operations. The training programme should be similar to LPG Shipping Suggested Competency Standards.
Basic training courses should include but not be limited to:
- Properties and hazards of CO2
- Risk mitigation principles for CO2 carriage
- CO2 operations guidance
- Emergency response and contingency planning for CO2 cargo
- Dry ice formation and management
- Concerns regarding impurities and mitigation measures.
The experience of the crew that operate gas carriers is guided by industry requirements. This is a practical approach to take for CO2 carriers as management of the personnel’s knowledge and experience is key to safe operations. Due to the nature of CO2 operations and the novel design and equipment, consideration should be given to providing equipment-specific training and to carrying out simulator training for cargo operations.
