Bureau Veritas updates guidelines for LNG carrier to FSRU-FSU conversion

Classification society Bureau Veritas updated notations and guidance to support the construction and operation of both FSRUs and FSUs. 

Interest in the floating storage and regasification units and floating storage units is growing the classification society said.

The new conversion guidelines provide clear advice to the LNG industry in properly addressing issues that either will or may arise during the conversion of LNG carriers into FSRUs or FSUs, helping shipowners to either avoid or to overcome potential problems.

“Floating gas terminals offer operational flexibility, reduced timescales,  from concept to operation, and cost-effectiveness in comparison with onshore terminals. Additionally, converting existing LNG carriers offers a fast route to operational availability,” Bureau Veritas said in its statement.

There are more than 20 LNG carriers presently in laid-up condition, many of them are candidates for conversion to floating terminal applications, such as FSRU or FSU operations.

Speaking of the updated notations and guidance, Matthieu de Tugny, COO, Bureau Veritas, Marine & Offshore said adds on to the NR645 notations and guidelines issued in November last year.