LNG Carriers - Excessive Boil Off Gas (BOG) Exposure During Congestion, Drifting and Standby

Disruption to shipping operations in the Gulf region is increasingly resulting in LNG carriers experiencing prolonged waiting periods, drifting and reduced-speed operations. While these conditions present operational challenges for all vessels, LNG carriers face additional risks associated with the management of boil-off gas (BOG). 

For Gas carriers, such conditions introduce a distinct set of technical, operational, and commercial challenges. Unlike conventional cargoes, LNG is inherently dynamic and continuously generates boil off gas (BOG) due to natural heat ingress. Under normal trading conditions, this BOG is typically consumed as fuel or managed within established operational parameters. However, during extended standby or low power conditions, the vessel’s ability to utilise BOG efficiently is reduced, potentially resulting in accumulation and the need for non-standard management measures such as increased Reliquefaction duty or controlled combustion. I

In this Club Risk Alert, Capt. Ilias Kioukioulakos and Capt. John Taylor examines the operational and claims implications of extended standby conditions, highlighting the importance of effective BOG management, proactive planning, early notification and robust record keeping to mitigate potential commercial and contractual disputes.

Read the full Risk Alert now