China sets rules for inland methanol bunkering barges
In China, China’s Maritime Safety Administration on September 28 issued immediately effective technical and inspection rules for methanol bunkering barges on inland waters, covering methanol-only barges, converted fuel barges and combined facilities that can supply both methanol and conventional marine fuel.
The guidelines allow methanol tanks to be replenished by methanol transport vessels, bunkering vessels or tank trucks, bringing both vessel and shore-based supply into the framework.
Combined barges must keep separate methanol and conventional fuel tanks and use independent bunkering systems for each fuel. Operators may not bunker two ships at once, handle two fuels simultaneously or replenish the barge during bunkering.
The rules also require emergency shutdown systems, inert gas capacity, gas detection, firefighting equipment and protective gear. Converted fuel barges must undergo formal risk assessment before entering methanol service.
Category: Sustainable Marine Fuels
