Inert Gas requirements

A summary of the current requirements

INTERTANKO Tanker Event at Istanbul 2008

Otto Nyquist, Det Norske Veritas (MTPNO880)
2008-04-21

Are the present IG requirements complicated?

Above

table gives DNVs understanding of present IG requirements in SOLAS

Det Norske Veritas AS. All rights reserved

22 April 2008

Slide 2

Why do we have IG requirements?

T/T KONG HAAKON VII

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22 April 2008

Slide 3

Keep in mind:
IG requirements relate only to low flash-point cargoes

IG requirements are given in 2 different statutory instruments:

Chem Code

SOLAS

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22 April 2008

Slide 4

Chem Code IG requirements

Applies when Inert is given in Ch. 17 column h of the IBC Chem Code

Applies for this product irrespectively of ship age, ship size, tank size, etc.

Operational requirement only; (no specific technical requirements are

given):
- Pre-purging with IG supplied from shore before loading is OK
- Bottles with N2 for topping up during voyage
- Supply from shore during unloading, (if required)

IG used is normally N2

Det Norske Veritas AS. All rights reserved

22 April 2008

Slide 5

SOLAS IG requirements

Requirements given in Ch. II-2 Reg. 4, item 5.5

Applicable to tankers of 20 000 DWT and above

Full cycle required:

-

Pre-purging
Topping up during voyage
Filling during unloading
Topping up during tank cleaning
Purging until less than 2% hydrocarbons

Both detailed equipment requirements and detailed operational

requirements

Det Norske Veritas AS. All rights reserved

22 April 2008

Slide 6

SOLAS IG requirements

The requirements are given in SOLAS Ch. II-2 Reg. 4, item 5.5 with detail
requirements in:
- FSS Code
- MSC Circulars
- Res. A 567(14) (modified requirements for tankers holding Chem Code
Certificate of Fitness)
- IACS UR F20

Oil tankers:
- must have IG capacity not less than 125% of unloading rate
- must have deck water seal

Tankers with Chem Code CoF:

- must limit the unloading rate to max 80% of IG capacity
- may have double block-and-bleed arrangement in lieu of deck water seal

Det Norske Veritas AS. All rights reserved

22 April 2008

Slide 7

SOLAS IG requirements
Historical development

Original SOLAS 74 text included IG requirements for oil tankers above

100 000 DWT and combination carriers above 50 000 DWT

TSPP 78 SOLAS Protocol requires IG for new oil tankers on or above

20 000 DWT and gives time scheme for upgrading existing tankers
above on or above 20 000 DWT

SOLAS 81-Amendments make reference to Res. A 473(XII) with some

relaxations for combined oil/chemical tankers when carrying oil cargoes;
(IG not required for low-flash chemicals)

SOLAS 83-Amendments make IBC Code mandatory under SOLAS

(IG still not required for chemicals)

Det Norske Veritas AS. All rights reserved

22 April 2008

Slide 8

SOLAS IG requirements
Historical development (continued)

SOLAS 89-Amendments clarified that:

- Chemical tankers keel-laid before 1986-07-01 need not use IG for Ch. 17 and
Ch. 18 products
- Chemical tankers keel-laid on or after 1986-07-01 must use IG for low FP Ch.
17 and 18 products
- when tanks are 3 000 m3 or above or
- when tank cleaning machines exceed 17.5 m3/h pr. nozzle or 110 m3/h
totally

Det Norske Veritas AS. All rights reserved

22 April 2008

Slide 9

SOLAS IG requirements
Background for present requirements

Tank size limitations because water washing in larger tanks was taken to
cause possibility for electrostatic charges causing ignition

Relaxations for chemicals because gas from IG generator will cause

contamination of cargo; (N2 generators not available when the
requirements were established)

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22 April 2008

Slide 10

DNV understanding of SOLAS IG requirements

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Slide 11

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Slide 12

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Slide 13

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Slide 14

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22 April 2008

Slide 15