Method for transferring LNG from a ship to a facility

A method for transferring liquid natural gas from a ship to a facility by means of a transfer system, said transfer system being connected to a facility comprising a first duct of the ship for transferring the liquid natural gas to the facility, which is firstly connected to a liquid natural gas storage tank of the facility, and secondly is connected to a first on-board pipe of the transfer system;

• a hoisting device which is designed to be secured on a deck of the ship;
• a mobile chassis, which is supported by the hoisting device;
• a first duct, for transferring liquid natural gas from the ship to the facility, which has a first end connected to a liquid natural gas storage tank of the ship, and a second end;
• a second duct of the ship, for the transport of inert gas, comprising a first end which is connected to an inert gas storage tank of the ship, and a second end;
• a first on-board pipe for transferring liquid natural gas from the ship to the facility, said first on-board pipe being supported by the mobile chassis and comprising:
• a first connection element which is associated with the second end of the first duct of the ship;
• a second connection element which is designed for the connection of the second on-board pipe to a duct of the facility for transferring inert gas to the facility;
• and
• a valve which is arranged between the first and the second connection elements of the second on-board pipe;
• and
• an emergency release coupling which is arranged between the valve and the second connection element of the first on-board pipe;
• and
• a second on-board pipe for the transport of inert gas, said second on-board pipe being supported by the mobile chassis and comprising:
• a first connection element which is associated with the second end of the second duct of the ship,
• a second connection element which is designed for the connection of the second on-board pipe to a second duct of the facility for transferring inert gas to the facility,
• a valve which is arranged between the first and second connection elements of the second on-board pipe,
• an emergency release coupling which is arranged between the first and the second connection elements of the second on-board pipe;
• the second on-board pipe being connected to the first on-board pipe by means of a first connection section which opens into the first on-board pipe between the valve of the first on-board pipe and the second connection element of the first on-board pipe and into the second on-board pipe downstream of the first connection element of the second on-board pipe and upstream of the valve and the emergency release coupling of the second on-board pipe, the first connection section allowing the inerting of a part of the first on-board pipe on the facility side;
• said method comprising:
• an inerting step, in which the valve of the first on-board pipe is in the closed position and inert gas is conveyed from the second duct of the ship to the first duct of the facility by means of the second on-board pipe and the first on-board pipe.