Marine Advisory: 20/2025 - U.S. Coast Guard Guidelines for Bunkering of Vessels Using Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and other Alternative Marine Fuels

Dear Shipowners and Operators:

The purpose of this Advisory is to inform all Shipowners and Operators of the U.S. Coast Guard’s policy letter, reference (d), regarding the bunkering of vessels using liquefied natural gas (LNG) or other alternative marine fuels at waterfront facilities and in waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.

With the adoption of the IGF Code, as amended, machinery, equipment and systems on board vessels may use LNG and other alternative marine fuels. The code requires that before any bunkering operation starts, the Master (or their representative) of the receiving vessel and the representative of the bunkering source (fuel supplier) shall agree in writing, among other things, to the transfer procedure to be used for bunkering of the fuel.

By their policy letter, the U.S. Coast requires that the fuel supplier undertake a Bunkering Risk Assessment, which is done under the review of the local Coast Guard Captain of the Port (COTP).

The Administration is bringing this U.S. Coast Guard’s policy letter to the attention of all Shipowners and Operators so they may become familiar with its content and take any necessary steps prior to conducting alternative fuel bunkering operations at waterfront facilities and in waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.

For more information, please contact the Regulations and Standards Department at RegsandStandards@liscr.com or telephone +1 703 790 3434.

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