IAMU News No.12, June 2006

3. LNG Training at Constantza Maritime University

Prof. dr. Eugen BARSAN, Lect. drd. Alexandru PESCARU
Constantza Maritime University

Owners' demand for qualified LNG and LPG officers is very high. Without any radical changes in the worldwide specific training program for these types of ships, the lack of officers is estimated to increase to 5000 officers by 2010. The number of LNG and LPG ships is increasing steadily, and the number of gas terminals is mounting year after year.

In Europe, the political divergences between Russia and Ukraine generated the so called "gas price war", that affected not only the East European countries, but all the continent, because all European countries are more or less dependent on the Russian gas and pipeline delivery system. The events from January-February 2006 demonstrate that alternative means for importing natural gases must be found, and many European countries are now considering the possibility of increasing their import capabilities of natural gases by sea. Romania also had a similar policy and had launched a campaign to find investors for an LNG terminal in Constantza Port.

Constantza Maritime Universities (CMU) began preparations in 2005 to develop special training activities for LNG officers. These theoretical and practical courses will be held for our students, as an extra part of the regular MET curricula. We intend to run this course for the first time in the following academic year (2006-2007).

Until then we will define the training materials and will buy a new generation LNG loading simulator, in order to deliver practical skills to our trainees. As IAMU members, we follow the IAMU Integrated Working Group initiative related to creation of a LNG learning platform and we are very interested to see the tangible results of the ALTC (Asia LNG Training Center) team, in terms of model courses, assessment system and textbooks. Because the LNG training program developed, was based on collaboration between IAMU members, we hope that curricula, counseling and basic training materials will be available for all IAMU members wishing to implement this type of training.

Meanwhile, CMU is building up its own database of knowledge in the field of gas carriage by sea, and LNG ship and terminal operations. Our cooperation with Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) Ship management will allow us to undertake "train the trainer" practical stages on board NYK LNG ships. Our first LNG ship operation courses, are focused on our cadets who will undertake the 12-month sea training period on board LNG ships owned by NYK.

The curricula drawn up by CMU has 56 hours (28 hours for courses and 28 hours for practical training using LNG loading simulator). The structure of our curricula is detailed below:

LNG Training Course

1. Fundamentals.

1.1. LNG properties and characteristics.

1.2. Terminology and units. Codes and standards.

2. LNG ships.

2.1. Tank types (membrane and self – supporting). LNG tank sizes and major components. Typical components inner tank.

2.2. Onboard cargo and shore-side equipment.

• Gas detection systems. Cargo piping systems. Heat exchangers. Cryogenic pumps. Safety and relief valves. Gas venting and burning system. LNG spill protection. Emergency shutdown system.

2.3. LNG transportation by ship and cargo operation.

• Preparing the vessel. Loading and unloading the ship. Cargo discharge and ballasting normal load. Arrival at the port. Undocking the LNG ship. Stowage plan. Vessel stability.
• Cargo care during navigation: precautions; weather factor influences; signals and running lights; collision prevention; navigation in difficult areas – straits, foul waters, ice areas. Ship-to-ship transfer. Preparing ship for next shipyard.

2.4. The LNG terminal.

• Features common to ship and terminal; Ship and shore performances. Berthing the ship. Custody transfer. Security issues. Ship-shore warnings. Communication and language issues.

2.5. LNG storage.

• Code, regulations and terminal citing issues. Determining storage requirements. LNG storage tanks. Safety and operational control. Operational mistakes. Level detection in a LNG tank. Operational inspection of LNG tanks. Damage and incidents reporting. Loading method for LNG. Stratification and rollover in a LNG tank.

3. Safety and security.

3.1 LNG safety hazards. Basics of fire. Flammability fire prevention. Hazards to personnel. Vapor dispersion risk. Weather factors in vapor dispersion. Deflagration. Accident prevention.

3.2. Safety equipment and procedures. Gas and flame detectors. Fire and emergency protection. Emergency procedures.

3.3. Security. LNG facility security. International ship security code. International ship security certificate. Preventing accidents. Emergency shutdowns pollution.

4. Transportation contracts.

• Term of contract; pricing; quantity provisions; performance risks; implementation and integration details (scheduling, technical compatibility, quality controls).Operational terms.

In order to fulfill all the required preparation for this course, including LNG ship loading scenarios on the liquid cargo handling simulator, we will extend the preparation of this course on the first semester of the academic year 2006-2007. Our intention is to inaugurate the LNG training course in the second semester, respectively in March 2007, with a class of 10 students from the 4th year of study.

We think that cooperation between IAMU members will be crucial in the following years, in order to increase the quality of these courses and to reach the same level of theoretical and practical knowledge for the trainees. Constantza Maritime University will try to periodically inform IAMU institutions about our progress in this matter and we hope to receive also news and updates related to this subject. In order to facilitate exchange of information on this topic, we suggest creation of a forum on the IAMU website, where LNG teachers and instructors can meet and exchange opinions and find solutions for improving the LNG training process.