LNG Ships Found Flammable

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has admitted that liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers use a highly flammable substance, polystyrene, to insulate their cargo.

The DHS also said there was no US mandated standard for insulating material on LNG carrier vessels, but that these tankers meet international safety codes.

The admission by Pamela Turner, DHS assistant secretary for legislative affairs, came in a letter to Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), who released it to the press Wednesday. The recent letter contradicts an earlier one from the DHS to Markey assuring that polystyrene insulation was not used in LNG tankers.

"I'm concerned that neither the Coast Guard nor the Homeland Security Department have focused enough attention on the potential vulnerability of LNG vessels to terrorist attack, and the fact that they were unaware that many LNG carriers use a highly flammable insulating material until I informed them of this fact is not particularly encouraging," said Rep. Markey.

Turner said the Coast Guard is working closely with the Sandia National Laboratory "to determine the necessary and appropriate requirements for future maritime shipment of LNG in US waters." She also said that the Coast Guard has instituted additional security measures.