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DNV GL says it has conducted a risk assessment “hazard identification study (HAZID)” on a series of three methanol-fuelled tankers for owner Mitsui O.S.K. Lines and shipyard Minami Nippon Shipbuilding in Japan.

As these are vessels with a flex-fuelled low speed diesel engine using methanol and/or heavy fuel oil, DNV GL reports that it was asked to participate in the project for its expertise in low flash point fuel, including methanol and LNG. "We're working closely with all parties to make design improvements and safety recommendations early in the design phase,” said Tetsuya Kamada, the country manager for DNV GL’s maritime advisory unit in Japan, adding: "We have considered the structure and maintenance of the fuel system as well as the vessel's voyaging, bunkering and cargo operations to ensure that the vessels will be as highly safe as conventional heavy-oil-fuelled ships."

The new vessels are be built to NK class and chartered to Waterfront Shipping Company (WFS), a wholly owned subsidiary of Methanex Corporation. Sister vessels are being built to DNV GL class by a shipyard in Korea. The vessels will also be chartered to WFS.

"We are pleased to receive DNV GL’s HAZID support for this challenging project. DNV GL led and facilitated the suggestions and views of all the related parties and gave us effective guidance to consider so that we could make these unique vessels safe. We think that their guidance which is based on their proven and long-held knowledge and expertise is very effective," appreciated by Satoshi Ikeda, Director of Minami Nippon Shipbuilding.

"Methanol is a low SOx fuel that is gaining interest due to its availability, cost and technical feasibility. Methanol has many advantages as a fuel, but as is the case with all fuels, it also has hazards that must be managed, such as toxicity and flammability," DNV GL explained.

"Due to DNV GL’s contribution, uncertainties and risks have been specifically identified at this early phase," said Kiyotaka Yoshida, Managing Executive Officer of Mitsui O.S.K. Lines. "We sincerely thank them for their support and expertise shown in identifying risks and hazards in the early design phase which we need to adhere to - and implement countermeasures against - in order to ensure safety."

DNV GL says that the new ships must meet the requirements of the IMO Interim Guideline MSC 285(86). The company believes that all safety considerations must be reassessed because using the methanol in a ship engine for propulsion is a new step forward for the maritime industry where people have long experience of handling the particular substance as cargo.

DNV GL has extensive experience of handling low flashpoint liquid cargos on chemical tankers and offshore supply vessels and 15 years’ experience of handling alternative fuels on gas-fuelled ships. A year ago, DNV GL was the very first class society to introduce rules for low flashpoint maritime fuel.

"This HAZID process has proven to be very productive and will go towards building industry-wide expertise in this promising new fuel," DNV GL said.

Image: Mariline fuel tanker ship, operated by Waterfront Shipping.