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New SGMF publication provides expansive and relevant guidelines on safe LNG bunkering

First published in 2014, SGMF’s ‘LNG as a marine fuel – Safety and Operational Guidelines – Bunkering’ book has been significantly updated and revised for 2022.
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LNG as a marine fuel Safety and Operational Guidelines Bunkering

The Society for Gas as a Marine Fuel (SGMF) on Wednesday (19 January) said it has released its ‘LNG as a marine fuel – Safety and Operational Guidelines – Bunkering’ publication. This third revision is the most comprehensive coverage of all aspects related to the bunkering of LNG fuel is more detailed than anything previously available.

The maritime industry is increasingly adopting liquefied natural gas (LNG) as the fuel of choice for newbuild vessels.

Together with the environmental performance LNG use provides, this growing trend is also the result of the considerable expansion of the LNG bunkering supply infrastructure.

Facilities are now well established in most parts of the world, and there are more operational LNG bunkering vessels serving the industry than ever before.

In anticipation of this growth and beyond, the safe use of LNG as a marine fuel has been a priority issue for SGMF.

First published in 2014, the SGMF’s ‘LNG as a marine fuel – Safety and Operational Guidelines – Bunkering’ publication has been significantly updated and revised for 2022 and these guidelines are a must have for anyone engaged with any aspect of LNG bunkering.

The safety track record of LNG bunkering operations has been exceptional and SGMF has played a leading role in developing a ‘safety first’ approach to bunkering operations through its publications, work, and influence.

Today amongst the SGMF membership organisations there are tens of LNG bunkering ships operating with hundreds of ships using LNG between them, with LNG bunkering occurrences now in their thousands.

These latest guidelines take a holistic approach, incorporating the most recent operational experience into what is now an industry-leading publication. Starting from the design of bunkering vessels and facilities to the planning and preparation of the bunkering operations and locations, which is completed with guidance on safe fuelling operations. This comprehensive publication covers not only actual operations, but also the actions and activities leading up to that final stage, making the bunkering efficient and safe.

Chairman of SGMF and Chief Operating Officer of Nakilat Samir Bailouni said: “The information contained in this publication is gold dust for anyone bunkering an LNG fuelled ship. These practices and insights are collated from the best the industry has to offer, and I extend my thanks to our members for providing this invaluable information not only for the benefit of the industry, but for society as a whole.”

Mark Bell, General Manager of SGMF, said: “The safe and sustainable use of gaseous marine fuels are the core objectives for SGMF and these bunkering guidelines for LNG are a cornerstone reference for the industry. As the industry grows, being able to supply new entrants with these guidelines provides them with a valuable head start in ensuring they can operate with maximum safety and efficiency, no maritime gas fuelled project should be without them. The industry now has a comprehensive portfolio of publications for LNG as a marine fuel and the Society will continue to update them with good, if not the best, practice the industry has to offer. Whilst the industry currently debates other future gaseous marine fuels such as ammonia and hydrogen, be assured SGMF is currently working on and will produce further guidelines for these fuels in a similar manner to what it has done for LNG. Meanwhile, I strongly encourage and advocate the continued focus on safe and sustainable bunkering for all these fuels through support for the important work and leadership of the Society in these aspects.”

The ‘LNG as a marine fuel – Safety and Operational Guidelines – Bunkering’ publication provides a wealth of information relevant to all stakeholders, from ship owners and operators, suppliers of LNG as a marine fuel, maritime administrations, port authorities and terminal operators, and local and national authorities.

“Bunkering LNG involves a range of potential hazards, but when good practice is applied and followed, the risks can be effectively mitigated. The overall aim of this new publication is to ensure that gas-fuelled ships can be bunkered safely, reliably, efficiently, and in an environmentally responsible way. It has only been made possible through the partnership, cooperation, support and open information from of our members” Mark Bell points out.

The publication addresses the specific requirements for LNG used as a marine fuel, as well as synthetic and bio-LNG. Its content may also, with appropriate limitations, be used as a reference for other low-flashpoint fuels and systems not specifically addressed in these guidelines.

The publication is available for members to download via the SGMF website. Non-members can pre-order it from the web shop here, for anticipated delivery by the end of February.

 

Photo credit: SGMF
Published: 20 January, 2022

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Alternative Fuels

Höegh Autoliners orders six more ammonia, methanol-ready Aurora class PCTCs

Höegh Autoliner inked a contract with China Merchants Group for six additional Aurora class PCTCs, which will be built by China Merchants Heavy Industry (Jiangsu) and delivered between 2029 and 2031.

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September 24, 2026

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Höegh Autoliners orders six more ammonia, methanol-ready Aurora class PCTCs

Höegh Autoliners on Tuesday (22 September) said it has formally signed a contract with China Merchants Group (CMG) for six additional Aurora class pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs). 

The contract was signed during a high-level meeting in Naples attended by senior representatives from both companies, including Miao Jianmin, Chairman of China Merchants Group. Chair of Höegh Autoliners, Leif O. Høegh, and Andreas Enger, CEO of Höegh Autoliners.

The six additional dual-fuel LNG and zero-carbon-ready vessels will be built by China Merchants Heavy Industry (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd. (CMHI) and delivered between 2029 and 2031. 

With 18 Aurora Class vessels in the programme, Höegh Autoliners is building the fleet needed for a zero- emission future and setting the pace for the transformation of deep-sea shipping.

The Aurora Class vessels can carry up to 9,100 cars and reduce carbon emissions per transported car by up to 58 per cent compared with conventional PCTCs. They have DNV’s ammonia-ready and methanol-ready notations and are designed to be converted to run on future zero-carbon fuels.

Leif O. Høegh, Chair of the Board of Directors of Höegh Autoliners, said: “For nearly 100 years, we have developed, adapted and led the way through major changes in shipping. It is in our DNA to keep moving and challenge what is possible. This signing continues that story. We are investing in the vessels that will define our fleet for decades and help move our industry towards zero emissions.”

Andreas Enger, CEO of Höegh Autoliners, said: “This is not just another vessel-building agreement. It is a statement about the future of deep-sea shipping and the role we intend to play in shaping it. The Aurora Class is at the heart of our fleet renewal and our path to a sustainable future. By expanding the programme to 18 vessels, we are securing efficient, flexible and future-ready capacity while setting the pace towards zero-emission operations.”

Miao Jianmin, Chairman of China Merchants Group, said: “Höegh Autoliners is a pioneer in international shipping and will celebrate its 100th anniversary next year. We would like to offer our congratulations in advance! Over the past century, Höegh Autoliners has achieved remarkable development and has grown into a leading company in the global RoRo shipping sector. We truly admire what you have accomplished.”

 

Photo credit: Höegh Autoliners
Published: 24 September, 2026

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Newbuilding

CLdN orders two LNG dual-fuel RoRo vessels from HD Hyundai Heavy Industries

New vessels will be built with space reserved for the future addition of larger electric shaft generators and batteries as the technology matures.
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September 24, 2026

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CLdN orders two LNG dual-fuel RoRo vessels from HD Hyundai Heavy Industries

Europe’s multimodal logistics providers CLdN on Tuesday (22 September) announced it has placed an order for two new 6,700 lane-metre RoRo vessels with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD Hyundai HI).

Construction of the new vessels is set to begin towards the beginning of 2028, with delivery scheduled for mid-2029. 

“The ships will be the 15th and 16th vessels ordered by CLdN from the South Korean shipbuilder over the past 10 years,” the company said on its website. 

The new vessels will be dual-fuel capable, able to run on standard marine diesel or LNG, and will be built with space reserved for the future addition of larger electric shaft generators and batteries as the technology matures.

While fuel consumption per vessel is expected to be similar to that of CLdN’s existing 5,000 lane-metre class ships, the increased cargo capacity of the new vessels is expected to deliver 30 to 40% better fuel efficiency per tonne-kilometre of cargo carried making the vessels the most fuel-efficient RoRo ships in the world.

The new vessels are designed with one additional deck and increased ground space compared to CLdN’s existing 5,000 lane-metre class ships, with a configuration specifically adapted for trailer cargo. 

“The addition of these vessels to CLdN’s fleet will ensure customers benefit from an even broader range of shipping options via CLdN’s extensive fleet of RoRo and container vessels,” the company said. 

 

Photo credit: CLdN
Published: 24 September, 2026

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Alternative Fuels

GCMD, Equinor to combine expertise on alternative bunker fuels, decarbonisation solutions

Equinor brings extensive experience to partnership as a vessel charterer and marine fuel supplier, including chartering dual-fuel LNG and methanol tankers, testing biofuels and supplying methanol.
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September 23, 2026

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GCMD, Equinor to combine expertise on alternative bunker fuels, decarbonisation solutions

The Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) and Equinor on Tuesday (22 September) announced a five-year Impact partnership.

The partnership brings together GCMD’s capabilities in conducting real-world maritime pilots with Equinor’s experience as a charterer, energy provider and developer of low-carbon solutions.

Together, the organisations will leverage their complementary expertise to help address technical and operational gaps in scaling alternative marine fuels and supporting the development and uptake of other maritime decarbonisation solutions.

GCMD’s work on alternative fuels, including biofuels, ammonia and methanol, focuses on two critical aspects of deployment: operational safety and robust monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV). Its pilots and studies are generating operational data to support safe bunkering and handling of these fuels. 

At the same time, its assurance work seeks to strengthen confidence in quantity, quality and GHG emissions abatement.

“Equinor brings extensive experience as a vessel charterer and marine fuel supplier. This includes chartering dual-fuel LNG, LPG and methanol tankers, testing and using biofuels and supplying methanol to the maritime sector,” GCMD said.

Equinor is also piloting the use and supply of ammonia as a marine fuel, contributing to the development of associated safety, regulatory and bunkering arrangements.

Combining these perspectives can help address practical barriers to alternative fuels deployment while strengthening assurance across emerging marine fuel value chains.

Beyond alternative fuels, GCMD is working to accelerate the adoption of solutions that can reduce emissions from the existing fleet, including energy efficiency technologies (EETs) and onboard carbon capture and storage (OCCS).

GCMD’s work on EETs includes quantifying real-world fuel savings from technologies such as wind-assisted propulsion systems and developing financing mechanisms to scale their adoption. In OCCS, Project CAPTURED demonstrated an end-to-end value chain for onboard captured and liquefied CO₂, generating evidence that contributed to the recognition of captured CO2 under the EU ETS and in-principle support at the IMO for recognising carbon mineralisation as permanent storage.

Equinor brings decades of experience in offshore CO₂ storage, including its role in the development and operation of Northern Lights, the world’s first cross-border CO2 transport and storage facility, where liquefied CO₂ is transported by ship to an onshore receiving terminal before it is sent by pipeline for permanent geological storage beneath the North Sea.

Through the partnership, GCMD and Equinor will explore opportunities to combine their respective capabilities and experience to support the deployment and scaling of maritime decarbonisation solutions.

 

Photo credit: Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation
Published: 23 September, 2026

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