Fate, Behaviour, Potential Damage & Liabilities Arising from a Spill of LPG in the Marine Environment

This report focuses on LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) as a non-traditional marine fuel. LPG is by definition any mixture of propane and butane in liquid form and is obtained during the refining process of crude oil. LPG has been shipped globally in bulk within LPG gas carriers for more than 80 years, resulting in significant experience in handling and transporting via ship. There are currently 72 LPG carriers that are using LPG for propulsion, while 93 carriers and four ethane carriers are currently on the orderbooks with capacity to use LPG as bunker fuel. However, the experience of handling this substance is currently confined to those within the LPG industry due to the LPG gas carrier fleet dominating bunker use. As the number of vessels with the ability to use LPG as fuel increase, an increased likelihood of incidents occurring during handling, transportation, and loading/unloading operations exists.

Categories: Alternative Fuels, Papers