The use of liquefied natural gas in maritime activities reduces air pollution

The Jovellanos Centre, dependent on Maritime Rescue, has hosted the fourth session of the "LNG Training & Competence" Working Group, organized by the SGMF (The Society for Gas as a Marine Fuel). This session discussed the necessary training for all those involved in the use of this alternative fuel, the Liquid Natural Gas (LNG), which reduces polluting emissions in maritime transport.

The GFMS is a London-based non-governmental organization, made up of internationally renowned entities in the maritime transport sector (classification companies, shipping companies, shipyards, etc.), which aims to promote the use of LNG as a marine fuel, through the study and publication of safety standards. The use of LNG as a marine fuel is beginning to become a reality in those emission control areas (ECA areas) where the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has imposed restrictions on air pollution produced by ships.

The objective of this working group, to which Salvamento Marítimo is part through the Jovellano Centre, is to establish the necessary training levels for entities (carriers, operators, port authorities, etc.) that can participate in the operations of supply of LNG to ships, beyond the training requirements imposed on LNG-powered vessels in the International Code of Safety for Ships using Gases or other -flashpoint Fuels, which has entered into force in early 2017. The Jovellanos Center has made a firm commitment to the use of LNG by building in 2011 the first facility for training with European LNG emergencies. It has also participated in various European projects in which LNG played a key role, such as the Monalisa 2.0 Project, the PICASSO Project, which it currently leads, or the Core LNGas- HIVE Project.