The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has proposed new guidelines to govern the transfer of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and other alternative marine fuels during bunkering operations, warning operators that no transfers may proceed without prior risk assessment.

As disclosed, the CG-OES Policy Letter No. 01-25 provides guidance to Coast Guard Captains of the Port (COTPs) on investigating and overseeing the bunkering of vessels with alternative fuels within US jurisdiction, thereby introducing a framework for conducting risk assessment in the absence of ‘comprehensive’ regulations.