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1. Society for Gas as Marine Fuel (SGMF) has issued a Formal Safety Notice No. FSN 22- 01 which addresses concerns regarding the safe operations of LNG-fuelled vessels and their equipment with the aim to prevent an increase in the risk for assets, people and environment arising out of reported compatibility issues for Dry-Disconnect/Connect Coupling (DD-CC).

2. The Notice provides that some DD-CC couplers manufactured by different OEMs can have compatibility issues during connection before bunkering and this might lead to a DD-CC nozzle and receptacle;

a. Not making a positive connection or

b. Making a positive connection but not guaranteeing that the seal is gas and/or liquid tight.

In both cases this can result in leakage and therefore safety, operational, and environmental risks.

3. In this regard, some OEMs have performed compatibility testing and should be consulted prior to bunkering (using serial numbers of the DD-CCs) to determine whether any compatibility issue is anticipated.

4. In view of above, SGMF vide attached FSN No. 22-01 has recommended vessel owners and operators to ensure that;

a. DD-CC nozzle and receptacle to be used are compatible as part of the bunkering compatibility assessment and

b. Pressure-leak testing is performed prior to bunkering.

5. Ship owners/ operators and masters are advised to be guided by above and take actions as appropriate. 

Enclosure:

• SGMF Formal Safety Notice No. FSN 22-01, dated 13th April 2022.

Disclaimer:

This Technical Circular and the material contained in it is provided only for the purpose of supplying current information to the reader and not as an advice to be relied upon by any person. While we have taken utmost care to be as factual as possible, readers/ users are advised to verify the exact text and content of the Regulation from the original source/ issuing Authority. 

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