What you need to perform it
Primary qualification
- Certificate of proficiency in ADVANCED liquefied-gas tanker training (STCW Reg. V/1-2, section A-V/1-2 paragraph 2).
- Base: an STCW officer certificate (II/1 deck or III/1 engine, per the ship's split) with the prior gas basic (A-V/1-2 paragraph 1).
- Advanced-level service requirement: 3 months on gas carriers, or 1 supernumerary month with at least 3 loadings and 3 discharges recorded (Reg. V/1-2.4).
Basic STCW
- A-VI/1 Basic Safety Training
- A-VI/3 Advanced firefighting (by post)
Specific courses
- IGC Code and containment systems (membrane, spherical, pressure): limits and familiarisation
- Boil-off management, reliquefaction and dual fuel with the engine room
- LNG custody transfer (CTS) and cargo calculation; cargo-handling simulator
- Liquefied-gas industry standards (SIGTTO as reference) and ship-shore compatibility
Indicative experience
Beyond the V/1-2 requirement, LNG owners typically demand hitches as junior cargo officer under the incumbent Cargo Engineer before full responsibility (industry practice).
Observations
Five-yearly revalidation per the Convention. LNG is among the merchant fleet's best-paid segments: the basic → voyages → advanced → Cargo Engineer route leads to chief mate/chief engineer of LNG ships and shore terminal operations.
What this role does
The officer with immediate cargo responsibility on LNG/LPG carriers (on LNG ships often a dedicated Cargo Engineer rank): plans cool-down, loading and discharge with vapour return, manages boil-off (engine consumption or reliquefaction), watches tank pressures and temperatures and executes custody transfer with the terminal. Works on the IGC Code and the liquefied-gas industry's standards.
Typical watches
- Navigation watches and loading/discharge operations per the gas terminal plan
Key responsibilities
- Plan and execute loading, discharge and care in transit of liquefied gases (LNG/LPG) under the IGC Code.
- Manage cryogenic containment systems, boil-off control, nitrogen inerting and vapour return.
- Supervise atmosphere monitoring, gas detection and emergency shutdown (ESD) systems at the ship-shore interface.
- Apply emergency procedures specific to cryogenic, flammable and pressurised cargoes.
Operational scope
- LNG/LPG terminals and ship-to-ship (STS) transfers
- Cryogenic and pressurised cargo under the IGC Code
- High-risk operations
Profile reviewed by HydroAbyss (2026). Cited rules and timeframes are indicative: the final requirement is set by the flag State, the Administration and each company.