scope:

Scope and Application

This Guide is for optional application to ship types other than those falling under the scope of the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (IGC Code) and the ABS requirements under Part 5C, Chapter 8 of the ABS Rules for Building and Classing Steel Vessels (Steel Vessel Rules) and burning their cargo. It is applied to vessels burning conventional fuels but having design features suitable to permit conversion at a future date to a particular gas burning concept based on existing Class requirements for gas fueled ships.

The requirements for the design and construction of all features of systems proposed are established in the ABS Guide for Propulsion and Auxiliary Systems for Gas Fueled Ships (Gas Fueled Ships Guide).

It is of course recognized that after the conversion of a vessel to LNG fueled, the arrangements and installations will still be subject to approval by the flag Administrations and the flag Administration will implement the IMO requirements in effect at the time of conversion. The Interim Guidelines on Safety for Natural Gas-Fuelled Engine Installations in Ships were adopted by International Maritime Organization (IMO) Resolution MSC.285(86) on 1 June 2009, which invites governments to apply the Interim Guidelines to gas fueled ships other than those covered by the IGC Code. However, they will be replaced once The International Code for Safety for Ships Using Gases or Other Low Flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code) becomes effective. The IGF Code is scheduled to become effective in 2017, and while it is still not finalized at IMO, it will contain a number of changes to the present requirements specified in the Interim Guidelines.

This Guide is to be applied to both new construction and existing vessel conversions, regardless of size, utilizing natural gas as fuel.