Investing in staff safety training is a top priority for our company.
Our team recently took a significant step towards enhancing safety onboard ships for alternative fuels by completing the IGF Code basic training program at Thesi Consulting in Mola di Bari, Italy. The certification is recognized both by IMO and the Ministry of Transports.
While traditionally focused on seafarers, this training proved valuable for our design team as well: understanding the everyday procedures onboard LNG carriers and ships equipped with dual-fuel engines, including safety aspects, allows them to create even more efficient and complete design applicable to vessels using low flashpoint fuels. This also demonstrates Navalprogetti forward-thinking approach, since part of the regulations and procedures can be extended to alternative fuels, such as hydrogen.
Safety onboard ships during bunkering procedures
The program covered a wide range of topics, including:
- Basic knowledge of ships subject to the IGF Code, their power systems, and fuel storage systems
- Bunkering operations simulations
- Venting, Inerting, and Drying Techniques
- Monitoring and gas detection calibration
- Understanding the characteristics of gas as a fuel on ships subject to the IGF Code based on the Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
- Basic knowledge of the emergency procedures: (ESD) and its sub-levels
Knowing the actual operation of the systems and dealing with experienced shipboard personnel enable our Team to design even safer and more efficient vessels and systems. Cold effects of cryogenic fuels can affect the ship structures and piping, hence the designers must be aware of materials behavior once reached very low temperatures, being able to avoid thermal stresses and possible embrittlement that may cause containment leakage.
It is furthermore crucial to define the level of system automation and to know how to interpret and respond to the systems alarms.
Way forward to alternative fuels
Most potential zero-carbon fuels, such as hydrogen, have properties posing different safety challenges from those
of conventional fuel oils. This requires the development of IMO regulations and classification rules for safe design
and use onboard ships in parallel with the technological progress needed for their uptake.
Participation to the advanced training to complete the certification has been scheduled in the coming months, in addition dedicated sessions are planned to increase the knowledge in handling and using alternative fuels such as hydrogen, ammonia and methanol.
Pending the publication of official guidelines for the handling of alternative fuels, particularly hydrogen, onboard vessels, Navalprogetti adopts an approach that aligns with Class Societies and EU standards. This involves either applying terrestrial requirements or conducting a comprehensive risk assessment to identify specific hazards and implement appropriate mitigation measures.