Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (the Register, RS) and Gaztransport & Technigaz SA (GTT) have signed a Cooperation Agreement in the area of marine liquefied natural gas (LNG) transportation, RS says in a press release.
A two-year working program makes provisions, in particular, for the Parties’ interaction in the development of the requirements and additions to the RS rules, as well as the approval of materials, products, technologies and GTT designed LNG containment systems. RS surveyors will take a special comprehensive training course covering the structural design, construction, and maintenance of GTT systems.
Joint competencies of the Register as an expert in the classification of ships operating in ice conditions and GTT as the frontrunner in the development of membrane systems for gas carriers and floating facilities will allow RS to offer customers a full range of services on approval of membrane containment systems in accordance with the requirements of the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (IGC Code) and the RS rules.
The new agreement adds to the on-going collaboration of the classification society and the technological and engineering company. In 2010 the Register performed the Approval in Principle of GTT technologies for membrane LNG containment and transportation systems and their installation on Arc7 ice class ships.
GTT (Gaztransport & Technigaz) is an engineering company expert in containment systems with cryogenic membranes used to transport and store liquefied gas, in particular LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas). For over 50 years, GTT has been maintaining reliable relationships with all stakeholders of the gas industry (shipyards, shipowners, gas companies, terminal operators, classification societies). The company designs and provides technologies which combine operational efficiency and safety, to equip LNG carriers, floating terminals, and multi-gas carriers. GTT also develops solutions dedicated to land storage and to the use of LNG as fuel for the vessel propulsion, as well as a full range of services.
Russian Maritime Register of Shipping was founded in 1913. The Register is a member of the International Association of Classification Societies. The organization has gained successful practical experience in technical supervision of the construction of gas carriers at the leading shipyards. Over 60 RS experts have received vocational training in the surveys of technologically advanced ships for LNG transportation during construction and in service.