ABSTRACT

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) as ship fuel is considered a viable solution to marine environmental issues, due to the significant reduction in emissions with respect to conventional fuel oil. At the same time, safety issues may arise in port areas when LNG is used as a fuel due to its high flammability. The present work focuses on the safety assessment of LNG carriers approaching a bunkering terminal trough port channels located in an industrial area. A risk matrix approach is adopted to evaluate the risk level associated with the carrier approaching the harbour, considering the vulnerability of surrounding territory and potential interactions with industrial facilities located in the area. The methodology is applied to a case study of industrial interest showing the potential of the tool in supporting risk-based decision making.