Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement joins SEA-LNG
World’s largest third-party ship manager of gas carriers becomes first ship manager to join SEA-LNG coalition
Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM), an integrated maritime solutions provider, has joined the SEA-LNG coalition – bringing its decades of LNG operational experience and technical insight to SEA-LNG. BSM’s decision to join SEA-LNG reflects the decision of many others joining this year who recognise LNG as a practical and realistic lower-emission marine fuel.
BSM brings abundant operational experience and has a proven track record as the world’s largest third-party ship manager of gas carriers. It has more than 100 gas carriers under management, over half of which are LNG carriers. It also manages close to 30 LNG dual-fuel ships and presently 2 LNG bunker vessels, with more coming into management soon.
All BSM vessels under management undergo reviews and audits from Oil Companies International Marine Forum’s (OCIMF) Tanker Management and Self-Assessment (TMSA) to ensure full compliance with International Safety Management (ISM) requirements, with no major safety incidents reported to date. These in-depth safety credentials will also enhance SEA-LNG coalition’s combined skillset.
LNG as a marine fuel requires rigorous training standards for seafarers and shoreside crew to ensure safe and efficient vessel operation. BSM has its own dedicated LNG training facilities for realistic training via Liquid Cargo Simulators (LCS) designed and developed by BSM’s in-house technical team that uses SEA-LNG member GTT’s Training software. BSM also operates an LNG Competence Centre (LCC), providing consultancy services across a wide range of LNG industry topics, including technical, crewing and commercial matters.
Nick Topham, Managing Director of Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement Germany, added, “At BSM, we are committed to LNG as a marine fuel. It is a proven, technically mature solution already being used on many ships, offering comprehensively developed supply and bunkering infrastructure. SEA-LNG provides an important network for exchanging ideas and pooling expertise with other stakeholders, jointly advancing LNG-related projects.”
Peter Keller, Chairman of SEA-LNG, said: “BSM joining represents a significant milestone for SEA-LNG. We welcome our first ship manager into the coalition, adding valuable insight and many years of experience in LNG as a marine fuel. BSM has been at the forefront of using LNG operationally for decades, with no major safety incidents in port or at sea, ensuring safe operations for seafarers today.”
LNG as a marine fuel has more than 60 years of operational history without any major safety incidents. This is a testament to the LNG industry’s rigorous design guidelines for both ships and shore facilities, as well as high standards of training and operations, supported by global regulators. LNG has clear rules set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) on the International Code of Safety for Ships Using Gases or Other Low-Flashpoint Fuels (IGF code).
Keller added: “Thanks to the hard work of BSM and our other members, LNG as a marine fuel offers a low-risk, incremental pathway to net-zero GHG emissions in shipping via biomethane and e-methane. As a result, LNG is a proven solution today and for 2050 and beyond with biomethane and e-methane utilising existing LNG infrastructure and proven safe shipboard technology.”
LNG background
Sphera’s 2nd Life Cycle GHG Emission Study on the use of LNG as marine fuel, showed conventional LNG can reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared with very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO) by up to 23% on a full lifecycle, well-to-wake basis inclusive of methane slip and upstream methane emissions. This study was based on primary data from all major marine engine manufacturers, was peer-reviewed by independent academics, and is widely recognised as the most definitive analysis to date of LNG marine fuel emissions.
Clarksons research states 188 ports offer LNG bunkering services, with a further 82 bunkering locations decided and implementing plans or under active discussion. The number of LNG bunker vessels has grown to 50 with a further 34 on order or under discussion. 2023 has seen new LNG bunkering vessels coming into operation in Japan, Korea, Singapore, the US East Coast and Gulf of Mexico, NW Europe and the Mediterranean.
About Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement
Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM) is an integrated maritime solutions provider. Managing a fleet of over 670 vessels, over 25,000 seafarers and 2,000 shore-based employees enable the delivery of safe, reliable, and efficient ship management services through a network of 11 ship management centres, 28 crew service centres and five wholly owned maritime training centres across the world. Alongside comprehensive ship management services, BSM offers a suite of complementary maritime solutions that are customised to meet individual customer requirements. As a member of the Schulte Group, BSM benefits from its 140+ years of experience in the shipping industry. www.bs-shipmanagement.com
Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement media enquiries:
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About SEA-LNG
SEA-LNG is a UK-registered not-for-profit collaborative industry foundation serving the needs of its member organisations committed to furthering the use of LNG as an important, environmentally superior maritime fuel. SEA-LNG has members across the entire LNG value chain including providers of the product, users, engine and asset suppliers, and class societies. SEA-LNG is already recognised as an international leader in LNG matters. Each member organisation commits mutually agreed human resources, data analysis and knowledge sharing in support of SEA-LNG initiatives and activities and financially contributes via a membership fee. SEA-LNG is guided by a board, which is led by chairman Peter Keller, who was elected as Founding Chairman in 2016. For more information, visit https://sea-lng.org/
