ISO TS 18683-2021 PDF

Full title and description

ISO/TS 18683:2021 — Guidelines for safety and risk assessment of LNG fuel bunkering operations. This technical specification provides guidance, requirements and recommendations for a risk‑based approach to the design and operation of LNG bunkering transfer systems and the interface between LNG supply facilities and LNG‑fuelled vessels, covering shore‑to‑ship, mobile‑to‑ship and ship‑to‑ship bunkering scenarios for seagoing and inland vessels.

Abstract

This document describes a structured risk assessment framework for LNG fuel bunkering operations, addressing hazard identification, design‑stage and operational risk assessments, consequence assessment methods, roles and responsibilities of stakeholders, measures to control simultaneous operations (SIMOPs), safety‑zone determination and emergency arrangements. It is intended to support operators, designers and regulators in establishing minimum functional requirements qualified by risk analysis and mitigation.

General information

• Status: Published.
• Publication date: 19 November 2021 (Edition 2, 2021).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 75.200 — Petroleum products and natural gas handling equipment.
• Edition / version: 2 (2021).
• Number of pages: 38 (official ISO listing for the 2021 edition).

Scope

Provides guidance on the risk‑based approach to the design and operation of the LNG bunker transfer system and the interface between LNG bunkering supply facilities and receiving LNG‑fuelled vessels. The specification covers bunkering scenarios from shore or ship, mobile‑to‑ship and ship‑to‑ship, for both seagoing and inland trading vessels, and gives minimum functional requirements framed by a structured risk assessment that considers LNG properties and behaviour, simultaneous operations and the roles of all parties involved.

Key topics and requirements

• Risk assessment framework: hazard identification (HAZID), risk analysis and evaluation; design‑stage and operational risk assessments and ALARP principle.
• Quantitative consequence assessment methods and individual risk criteria for consequence evaluation.
• Definition and management of bunkering scenarios: shore‑to‑ship, mobile‑to‑ship and ship‑to‑ship operations.
• Operational controls: SIMOPs management, communications and coordination, emergency shutdown (ESD) and incident reporting.
• Safety zones and methods to determine them (multiple determination methods provided in annexes).
• Roles and responsibilities of stakeholders (ship, terminal, supplier, port authorities) and recommended competency/training considerations.
• Cross‑references and exclusions: design‑level equipment requirements were trimmed to avoid duplication with ISO 20519 (specification for LNG bunkering), so the document focuses on safety and risk‑assessment guidance rather than detailed component specifications.

Typical use and users

Used by LNG terminal designers and operators, bunkering service providers, shipowners and operators of LNG‑fuelled vessels, port and harbour authorities, safety and risk consultants, classification societies and regulators to define and apply a risk‑based safety approach for LNG bunkering operations and to coordinate responsibilities and procedures between stakeholders.

Related standards

Normative and related documents commonly referenced with ISO/TS 18683 include ISO 20519 (Specification for bunkering of LNG fuelled vessels), ISO 31010 (risk management — risk assessment techniques) and ISO/IEC Guide 73 (risk management vocabulary) as well as national/adopted versions of ISO/TS 18683 and regional bunkering guidance documents. These references are used to avoid duplication of detailed design requirements and to align risk terminology and assessment techniques.

Keywords

LNG bunkering, LNG fuel, risk assessment, bunkering safety, shore‑to‑ship, ship‑to‑ship, mobile‑to‑ship, safety zones, SIMOPs, emergency shutdown, ALARP, consequence assessment.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO/TS 18683:2021 is an ISO Technical Specification titled "Guidelines for safety and risk assessment of LNG fuel bunkering operations" that gives a risk‑based framework and guidance for safe LNG bunkering activities.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers risk assessment methods and recommendations for LNG bunkering scenarios (shore‑to‑ship, mobile‑to‑ship, ship‑to‑ship), safety‑zone determination, SIMOPs management, stakeholder roles and emergency arrangements; it focuses on safety and risk guidance rather than prescriptive design details.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: LNG terminal and bunkering operators, shipowners and naval architects working with LNG‑fuelled vessels, port authorities, risk assessors, classification societies and regulators.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2021 edition (Edition 2) is the current published Technical Specification (published November 2021); it replaced the earlier 2015 edition and remains the active ISO/TS publication.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It sits within the body of ISO standards addressing LNG as a marine fuel and risk management (for example ISO 20519 for bunkering specification and ISO 31010 for risk assessment techniques) and is referenced/adopted by several national standards bodies and regional committees.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: LNG bunkering, risk assessment, safety zones, SIMOPs, emergency shutdown, consequence assessment, ALARP, bunkering scenarios.