New guidelines for conversion of existing LNG carriers to FSRUs and FSUs
Interest in FSRUs and FSUs is growing. Floating gas terminals offer operational flexibility, reduced timescales - from concept to operation, and cost effectiveness in comparison with onshore terminals. Additionally, converting existing LNG carriers offers a fast route to operational availability.
There are more than 20 LNG carriers presently in laid-up condition. Many of them are candidates for conversion to floating terminal applications, such as FSRU or FSU operations. The new conversion guidelines provide clear advice to the LNG industry in properly addressing issues that either will or may arise during the conversion of LNG carriers into FSRUs or FSUs, helping shipowners to either avoid or to overcome potential problems.
“With growing interest in floating gas terminals, working with industry stakeholders, we are providing the rule framework and guidance necessary to develop both FSRU and FSU terminals – both for newbuildings and conversions," Matthieu de Tugny, COO, Bureau Veritas, Marine & Offshore said. “Last November, Bureau Veritas published NR645, the first rules document fully dedicated to FSRUs. These new notations and guidelines are further evidence of BV’s classification leadership in both FSRUs and FSUs.”
Bureau Veritas and floating gas terminal leadership in the development of specific notations, regulations and tools: the first FSRU newbuild, delivered in 2005, was to BV class; the largest FSRU ever built is MOL’s BV classed 263 000 m3 unit delivered in 2017; nearly 40% of the fleet in service is BV class. Additionally, a broad range of 2nd party services is provided by Bureau Veritas including: risk assessment and support including tools for sloshing analysis, mooring, CFD, hydro-structural assessments and ice/structure interaction.
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