U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals report they fully expect to be in compliance with the stiffer maritime terrorist deterrence rules that are due to take effect in July, reducing the threat of disruptions to imports next summer.

On July 1, regulations under the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (MTSA) will be implemented, along with the first-ever multilateral code for ships and ports that engage in international trade, called the International Ship and Port Security (ISPS) code.

The tougher initiatives build on the protections that the U.S. took to guard its coasts in the wake of Sept. 11, 2001, and give the U.S. Coast Guard the authority to turn away foreign-flagged LNG tankers and other ships from U.S. ports that don’t comply with the MTSA security regulations and the ISPS code. LNG tankers, as well as offshore oil and gas platforms, will be among those sectors of the maritime industry “most directly impacted” by the new measures, according to the federal government.

“We think we’re prepared…in pretty good shape” to meet the new maritime security requirements, said Julie Vitek, a spokeswoman for Distrigas of Massachusetts, which operates an LNG terminal in Everett, MA.

She reported that two vessels under contract to Distrigas to import LNG, the Berge Boston and Berge Everett (both Norwegian tankers), already have obtained their ISPS tanker certifications, along with their certifications to enter the Port of Boston.

Two other vessels in the terminal’s portfolio, the Matthew (Norwegian) and Iniglo Tapias (Spanish), are expected to acquire their ISPS certifications well before the July 1 deadline, Vitek told Daily GPI.

Moreover, Distrigas was the first company in the Port of Boston area to submit a security plan to the Coast Guard for the Everett terminal, satisfying the requirements under the MTSA, she said. The Coast Guard approved the security plan. As a result, the terminal also satisfied the requirements for ISPS certification, Vitek noted.

The bulk of the LNG imports off-loaded at Distrigas come from Trinidad, she said. The Coast Guard inspected the security of the facilities in that country, and found them to be “excellent.”

“We do not anticipate any interruption [of LNG imports]. We’re confident the tankers will be in compliance come July 1, if not before then,” said John Barnett, a spokesman for Trunkline LNG, which operates a major terminal in Lake Charles, LA.

“We’re working closely with all LNG vessels that call at the terminal to make sure they are well aware of the new regulations.” He conceded, however, that it ultimately will be the responsibility of Trunkline LNG’s customers who import the fuel and the countries where tankers are flagged to ensure the vessels have the proper security certifications to enter U.S. ports.

Barnett further indicated that Trunkline LNG, a subsidiary of Southern Union, was working closely with the Coast Guard to develop a security plan for the Lake Charles terminal, which is located on the Calcashieu Ship Channel in southern Louisiana.

He noted the Lake Charles facility imports LNG from a number of foreign countries, including Algeria, Nigeria, Australia, Trinidad and Qatar, just to name a few.

Similarly, Dominion Cove Point’s LNG terminal, which is located near the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, expects to have a Coast Guard-approved security plan for its facility in place by July 1, said spokesman Dan Donovan.

As with Trunkline LNG, the task of ensuring that foreign LNG tankers have received their security certifications mostly will fall to the Cove Point terminal customers who import the LNG, he noted.

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