Response Guides

Fossil fuel use within the maritime industry is prevalent and will continue to be in the near future, but the global energy landscape is evolving. The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) expects a significant increase in the use and transport of alternative fuels in U.S. waterways that are less carbon intensive or reduce air pollutants in order to meet global emission targets. Alternative fuels being considered include but are not limited to liquefied natural gas (LNG), methanol, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), biofuels and zero-carbon fuels (such as ammonia and hydrogen). Since there is a wide range of alternative fuels still being considered by the shipping industry, each of their fate and behavior in the maritime and port environments have not yet been thoroughly studied. The Coast Guard Office of Marine Environmental Response Policy (CG-MER) is concerned that without adequate awareness, training, and preparation, alternative fuel spillage in U.S. waterways can pose risks to responders’ safety and health, port and vessel safety, and environmental damage.

To address a knowledge gap in alternative fuel response, the USCG Research and Development Center (RDC) consulted with subject matter experts (SMEs) and Coast Guard field responders throughout the U.S. to prioritize response guidance for specific fuels. Based on this consultation, RDC identified LNG, methanol, ammonia, and hydrogen as the highest priorities. SMEs also cited LPG and biofuels, but to a lesser extent. RDC synthesized the literature review results into an operational guide for quick reference in event of an incident. The guide includes human and environmental health/safety hazards, protective measures, and safety precautions for responding to incidents involving LNG, methanol, ammonia, hydrogen, LPG, and biofuels. It also identifies research gaps/other unknowns about each alternative fuel for future work. This operational guide is mostly based on information from a report prepared by Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in 2021 and the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation’s (ITOPF) 2024 report series about alternative fuels risks and response measures.

USCG Federal On-Scene Coordinators (FOSCs) and other spill responders can use this operational guide to identify safety and health hazards associated with each priority alternative fuel. It can also assist CG-MER in determining whether field research will be necessary to evaluate response technologies with specific alternative fuels, such as low-sulfur fuel oils (not included in this document). With public dissemination, this operational guide will improve awareness and readiness for alternative fuel incident response.

REPORT
 

• USCG Operational Guide for Response to Alternative Fuels Incidents
  
  
  QUICK RESPONSE CARDS (QRC)
   
  • Liquefied Natural Gas
     
  • Methanol
     
  • Ammonia
     
  • Hydrogen
     
  • Liquefied Petroleum Gas
     
  • Bio Fuels