Watch video on 'Navigating gas vapour clouds'
The challenge
Infield Support Vessels (ISVs ) or tugs help maneuver fuel carriers alongside Floating Liquified Natural Gas (FLNG) facilities but while in close range of the FNLG they can be at risk of exposure to potentially explosive gas clouds. To prevent explosions, ISV’s are fitted with systems which shut down the vessel if it enters a gas cloud of a particular density. This prevents the ISV from being a source of ignition but leaves the ISV uncontrollable, which can lead to other risks such as collision with the FLNG facility or the tanker.
This challenge set in conjunction with, Kotug, a leading provider of safe harbour and terminal towage services, seeks innovative new methods to detect and visualise gas clouds, enabling an ISV or other vessels to avoid a gas cloud altogether and sail around it.