Skangass and Fjord Line conclude LNG bunker spill probe

JULY 1, 2014 — An investigation into an LNG spill involving Fjord Lines LNG-fueled 1,500-passenger ferry Bergensfjord has concluded. The incident occurred May 9 during truck-to-ship bunkering of the vessel at Skangass’s Risavika, Norway, terminal.

No one was injured and the vessel was not damaged. The investigation by Skangass and Fjord Lines concludes that the incident did not cause any danger to passengers or crew on board the ship.

The investigation found the incident to be due to a test of the ship’s stabilization system taking place at the same time as bunkering. This resulted in a large exterior strain on the hose connection to the bunker station on board the ship. The leakage is estimated to have been 130 kilograms of LNG.

“Naturally, Skangass will implement all remarks and preventive actions followed by the supervision of the Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection (DSB) 24th June 2014, in addition to the additional safety measures already implemented. Skangass and Fjord Line are working closely together to make sure that preventive actions and procedures are synchronized between ship and shore,” says Tor Morten Osmundsen, Managing Director of Skangass. “Our experiences from the incident will also be used to improve all bunkering operations by Skangass.”