March 30, 2026

USCG Sector Houston-Galveston, and the Liquified Gas Carrier National Center of Expertise (LGC NCOE) oversaw the first vessel-to-vessel methanol bunkering in U.S waters on the TANGIER MAERSK.

The TANGIER MAERSK is a 898.9’ container ship currently flagged with Denmark but is part of a larger fleet of vessels scheduled to be reflagged into the U.S. fleet later this year.

Monitoring the flow rates from the control room onboard the TANGIER MAERSK.


This bunkering operation was the culmination of four months of meetings, risk assessments, and design reviews between Sector Houston Galveston, U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, the NCOE, Maersk Line Limited, and Kirby Marine personnel.

Marine Inspectors Steve Kilgore (Sector Houston Galveston) and Scott Mercurio (LGC NCOE) had maintained federal oversight of the novel evolution and were heavily involved with engaging industry stakeholders and Coast Guard policy makers to ensure all international and US regulatory standards were addressed.

Mr. Kilgore and Mr. Brian Feldman (Sector Houston Galveston) were able to join the vessel in Panama and conduct an examination of the vessel’s methanol fuel system during the transit to Houston.  Once in port, they were joined by Mr. Mercurio and LT Cody Baggett (LGC NCOE).  The four Coast Guard representatives attended the vessel on March 29th and 30th, witnessing the novel bunkering operation while ensuring the safety of the crew and port.

KIRBY 29067 moored alongside TANGIER MAERSK


This transfer marks a new growing economic opportunity in the United States as the demand for alternatives to fuel oil continue to grow.  "We are excited to safely facilitate this bunkering operation and the potential it promises for the future of the United States as a premier provide for alternative fuels." said Mr. Mercurio.

Methanol represents one of the many new alternative fuels, alongside liquefied natural gas (LNG), ammonia, and several others. The United States Coast Guard and the Liquefied Gas Carrier National Center Expertise remain poised to safely guide the United States and the maritime industry into safe alternative fuel use in support of strengthening the domestic maritime industry while promoting national security and economic prosperity.

The LGC NCOE is one of six nationwide national centers of expertise focusing on providing industry specific consultation and services to the Coast Guard and maritime industry. The LGC NCOE provides technical advice on matters related to liquefied gas carriers and alternative fueled vessels in the maritime community; providing training and outreach opportunities; liquefied gas workforce forecasting and performance development; and technical expertise for the establishment of local and national policy, guidance, and regulations.

For more information on the LGC NCOE and upcoming events, visit their website USCG Liquefied Gas Carrier National Center of Expertise.

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The U.S. Coast Guard’s Liquefied Gas Carrier National Center of Expertise (LGC NCOE) in partnership with Det Norske Veritas (DNV) classification society hosted the 4^th Annual USCG, Flag State, and Classification Society Surveyor Workshop on February 27 – 29, 2024 in Katy, Texas.
 

2023-02-16 USCG CoC Exams Prior to Northbound Transit of Panama Canal

The Liquefied Gas Carrier National Center of Expertise has announced a voluntary program providing gas vessels with the opportunity to request a Certificate of Compliance (COC) exam while awaiting northbound transit in Balboa, Panama.
 

2023-01-02 Coast Guard Holds Annual Liquified Gas Forum in Houston

HOUSTON - Personnel from the Coast Guard’s Liquefied Gas Carrier National Center of Expertise held the 6th Liquefied Gas and Alternative Fuels Senior Executive Forum at Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston, Wednesday and Thursday.

During the forum, Coast Guard personnel, other government agencies and industry experts came together to discuss the continued growth and use of liquefied gases and alternative fuels throughout the maritime community to gain a better understanding of the intricacies each party faces ...  (More)
 

2021-09-27 Coast Guard holds first-of-their-kind fuel workshops, trains examiners from across U.S.
 

PORT ARTHUR, Texas — Personnel from the Coast Guard’s Liquefied Gas Carrier National Center of Expertise led the service’s inaugural low-flashpoint fuel workshops in Jacksonville, Florida, from Sept. 13-17 and 20-24.

Workshop instructors trained the first wave of Coast Guard low-flashpoint fuel examiners serving at units from across the U.S. This training enhanced examiners’ technical competence on low-flashpoint fuel systems, which will promote national examination consistency and mitigate risks throughout the U.S. Marine Transportation System.
 

2018-09-28 Coast Guard, Industry Partner on LNG Inspector Training

The Coast Guard’s Liquefied Gas Carrier National Center of Expertise (LGC NCOE) partnered with Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville to coordinate a four-day “LNG as Fuel Workshop” Sept. 17-20, 2018, for future inspectors of LNG fueled vessels, with support from industry experts and the Coast Guard’s Marine Safety Center.

 

2016-06-23 USCG checklist on LNG fuel system inspection

In April 2015, the USCG Liquefied Gas Carrier (LGC) National Center of Expertise (NCOE) identified the need for and with USCG Headquarters program support established the LNG as a Fuel Workforce Development Committee (LNGFWDC) to identify USCG prevention workforce development needs for the emerging use of LNG as a maritime fuel and LNG bunkering.
 

2014-12-06 - ​USCG discusses LNG at marine fuels conference