Study On Navigation Environment Of Liquefied Natural Gas Carriers

Compared with other ships, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) carriers are considered dangerous and particularity. In recent years, due to the strategic transition of energy development from petroleum to natural gas all over the world, the shipping volume of LNG carriers have been increasing. But at the same time, the growth of LNG carriers has brought about more marine accidents and has become a great challenge to the security of people and property on board, the marine environment and the social development of disaster areas, and even has caused the actual loss.The international society has focused on the scientific managements and regulations to control the LNG carriers. Many countries, regions and companies begin building terminals of LNG, and make many rules on the navigation environment of LNG carriers; meanwhile some international organizations such as IMO and SIGTTO, etc. issued relevant technical regulations. The Ministry of Communication in China issued The Design Specification for Liquefied Natural Gas Port and Jetty (Tentative) on December 24^th, 2003 as a source of reference for standards.The thesis firstly analyzes the present situation and development trends of LNG seaborne trade in the world and the particularity of LNG carriers, introduces the domestic and abroad LNG terminals, and confirms the model and size of LNG carriers. By comparing LNG carriers, oil tankers, and containers from perspectives of worldwide LNG terminals' fairways, turning waters and operating conditions, the paper then analyzes and summarizes the feasible regulations on the fairways for LNG carriers; summarizes the size of specific anchorage for LNG, the safe distance of carriers at anchor and turning radius according to the international rules on anchorage. Through the trial of turning and simulated handling of oil tankers, containers and LNG carriers on Dalian terminal based on the large-scale shiphandling simulator of Dalian Maritime University, the paper finally summarizes the track-width of LNG carriers, turning features and basic laws of tugging equipments, and studies the international definition of LNG security area and relevant stipulations in the world.