CIMAC advises on azimuth thruster stopping

CIMAC advises that the current SOLAS rules fail to consider modern ship design with different types of propulsion system, including hybrid systems, and technology improvements in ship equipment and design tools.

Nor do they consider how well azimuth thrusters can stop a ship safely and efficiently, it says.

Amendments to SOLAS related to steering and propulsion is currently in train by the IMO and it is expected that the outcome of this work will be incorporated into classification society rules and national regulations.

CIMAC is therefore offering its expertise to help inform this piece of work with the publication of its ‘CIMAC Guideline / On the development of the rules for stopping a ship with azimuthing thrusters, 2023-09’.

This position paper can be applied to all ships under SOLAS requirements but is also applicable to non-SOLAS ships.

The paper takes a holistic view of a ship as a system and focuses on stopping using azimuth thrusters because the steering function of these units can be part of the stopping procedure. Through the paper, CIMAC aims to make industry recommendations based on experience to determine the most efficient stopping process possible.