ISO 28460:2010

Overview

ISO 28460:2010 - "Petroleum and natural gas industries - Installation and equipment for liquefied natural gas - Ship-to-shore interface and port operations" defines requirements for the safe transit, berthing and cargo transfer of LNG carriers at onshore terminals. The standard covers roles and responsibilities for ship, terminal and port service providers (pilotage, VTS, tugs, mooring boats, terminal and ship operators and suppliers) and addresses the ship-to-shore interface, operational communications, instrumentation and electrical connections (including onshore power supply / cold ironing) used during LNG operations.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and applicability: Applies to conventional onshore LNG terminals handling LNGCs in international trade; provides guidance for offshore/coastal operations.
• Marine operations: Requirements for safe port transit, berthing, mooring and unberthing; establishment of marine exclusion and moving safety zones; coordination with VTS and pilotage.
• Jetty and transfer infrastructure: Jetty siting and design considerations, multi‑product berths, vapour return systems and safe access/egress between jetty and ship.
• Ship/shore interface: Ship/shore compatibility studies, ship/shore safety check‑lists, instrumentation, data links and recommended pin configurations for fibre‑optic/electrical ship/shore links.
• Cargo transfer systems: Procedures for pre‑transfer meetings, marine loading arms, custody transfer practices, and the management of emergency shut‑down (ESD) and emergency release systems (ERS).
• Electrical safety and OPS: Hazardous area classification at jetties, insulating flanges, and guidance for onshore power supply (OPS / cold ironing).
• Hazard management and security: Protection against LNG leakage and spillage, fire hazard management, security per ISPS/IMO references, and ballast water considerations.
• Human factors and training: Staffing, coordination, and training requirements for terminal and ship personnel.
• Annexed guidance: Informative annexes include ship equipment, cargo operation flow charts and safety philosophy for stopping LNG transfer.

Practical applications - who uses ISO 28460:2010

• Terminal operators and designers planning LNG jetties and transfer systems
• LNG carrier owners/operators and technical managers performing ship/shore compatibility studies
• Port authorities, pilotage and vessel traffic services (VTS) coordinating transit and exclusion zones
• Tug and mooring boat operators, safety and emergency response teams
• Suppliers (bunkers, stores) and maintenance contractors working alongside moored LNGCs
• Regulators and auditors benchmarking port operations, safety management and custody transfer

Related standards and references

• IMO publications and IGC Code (liquefied gas ship construction/equipment)
• SOLAS (chapters II‑2 and V), ISPS Code, and industry guidance from SIGTTO, OCIMF and GIIGNL

Keywords: ISO 28460:2010, LNG, ship-to-shore interface, port operations, onshore LNG terminal, cargo transfer, ESD, ERS, onshore power supply, ship/shore compatibility.