A key safety milestone in the design process for VLOOT’s next-generation Pilot Station Vessel
At the beginning of September, Conoship led a HAZID (Hazard Identification) workshop for the methanol-fueled Pilot Station Vessel (PSV) currently being designed for VLOOT, the Belgian government agency responsible for the pilot fleet. This workshop marks an important safety milestone in the vessel’s design process, ensuring that potential risks are identified and mitigated early.
Together with VLOOT, Baltic Workboats, Lloyd’s Register, and the Belgian flag administration, the session brought valuable insights and confirmed the project’s solid foundation for the next design and approval stages.
Workshop dynamics and outcomes
The HAZID session combined the expertise of all involved parties in a constructive and open discussion. As the workshop progressed, a strong group dynamic emerged allowing each stakeholder to share perspectives from their own field. This interaction led to valuable insights and a deeper shared understanding of the safety aspects related to methanol propulsion.
Because this Pilot Station Vessel will operate on methanol in the future, conducting a dedicated HAZID was a crucial step. Methanol introduces specific considerations for fuel handling, storage, and system integration, and early hazard identification ensures these aspects are addressed safely and in line with international guidelines. The session confirmed that the vessel’s design aligns with these requirements, while also identifying several areas for detailed follow-up and refinement.
Next steps
With the HAZID successfully completed, the project now moves into the next stages of detailed design and approval. Lloyd’s Register and the Belgian flag administration will review the outcomes as part of their respective certification and approval processes, using the HAZID findings as key input.
For Conoship and its partners, this workshop reaffirmed the value of collaboration and early safety evaluation when implementing new, sustainable fuel technologies. The constructive discussions and insights gained during the HAZID now guide the design toward its next milestone: developing a safe, future-proof Pilot Station Vessel that supports VLOOT’s transition to cleaner operations at sea.
