LNG bunkering — fueling ships with liquefied natural gas — has grown from a niche to standard practice in major ports, and small-scale LNG distribution is following the same curve. The valve requirements sit at the intersection of cryogenic engineering and marine safety rules.
Where Valves Sit in a Bunkering Chain
Shore tank → transfer pumps → bunkering manifold → hose/arm with breakaway coupling → ship manifold → vessel tanks. Each interface needs isolation, check and emergency shutdown (ESD) functions rated for −162 °C service.
The Non-Negotiables
- BS 6364 / ISO 28921 cryogenic type testing with extended bonnets — the baseline for every valve touching LNG. Details in our cryogenic buyer’s guide.
- Fire-safe design (API 607 / ISO 10497) — LNG is a Group 1 fluid; a fire must not turn a valve into a leak path. See fire-safe ball valves.
- ESD compatibility: pneumatic spring-return or electric fail-safe actuation with defined stroke times — our actuation packages cover both.
- Marine class rules: IGF Code for the ship side, IACS class approvals, and ISO 20519 for the bunkering interface itself.
Typical Valve Selection
| Location | Typical choice |
|---|---|
| Tank isolation | Cryogenic triple-offset butterfly or top-entry ball |
| Manifold isolation | Cryogenic ball, extended bonnet, fire-safe |
| ESD | Actuated cryogenic ball, spring-return |
| Vapor return | Cryogenic butterfly |
| Drain/vent small bore | Cryogenic globe per API 602 execution |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do bunkering specs demand helium seat tests?
Ambient water/air tests say little about tightness at −162 °C; helium at cryogenic temperature is the only meaningful acceptance for this service.
Are these projects brand-restricted?
Usually specified by standard and class approval rather than brand — which suits our brand-agnostic, spec-driven supply model.
Working on an LNG bunkering, satellite station or small-scale LNG project in Canada, Europe or Türkiye? Send us the valve list.
