The International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) has announced that the first edition of the fuel-agnostic Bunker Operations Audit tool was made available exclusively to IAPH members.
It is now accessible for ports to fulfill the increased demand for license applications in numerous fuels including methanol, hydrogen, and ammonia.
Looking ahead, operators asking for permits to operate bunkering facilities in several locations will profit from this new IAPH technology.
The toolkit guarantees that, at the outset, the bunker facility operator’s duties for safe and sustainable operations are clearly defined, and that bunker operations are carefully organised.
Finally, the tool evaluates the compatibility of a proposed bunker operator’s safety management system with ports and competent authorities.
READ: IAPH develops GHG performance indicator
The tool’s main purpose is to assure the quality of bunker operators and, as a result, safe bunker operations at ports.
Clean Marine Fuels Working Group Chair, Peter Alkema, said: “Almost six years to the day we proudly announced the launch of the LNG Bunker Operations Audit tool.
“Back then we expected that with the thorough work done by Working Group members on an industry standard-level template for licensing LNG bunkering operations, we could apply the lessons learnt and methodologies adopted to other alternative fuels such as hydrogen, methanol and ammonia. The launch of this fuel agnostic version is proof of that expectation”
Aside from being developed by diverse port authorities who are permanent members alongside partner Panthallasa, the Clean Marine Fuels Working Group invited several important participants to participate in the industry consultation on the audit toolkit, including classification societies, bunker operators, oil and gas majors, and ship owners.
READ: IAPH commits to port enhancements in developing countries
The toolkit, which includes the eight-step audit tool, a comprehensive guide manual for usage, a full intake form for prospective bunker operators, and a user license with terms and conditions, was specifically designed to allow for both manual and electronic data entry using simple templates.
These take into account the necessity for audits both at the management level and on-site at bunkering sites.
The toolkit is currently exclusively available to IAPH members and will be made available to non-members via subscription before the end of the year.
