GL updates ship Rules

Changes have been made to the following GL Rules for Seagoing Ships: Classification and Surveys, Hull Structures, Machinery Installations, Electrical Installations, Automation, Structural Rules for Container Ships and Stowage and Lashing of Containers. Additionally, new Rules have been developed for the classification of Crew Boats and Offshore Wind Farm Service Craft.

The GL Rules and Guidelines are now available for download in their entirety. Previously the Rules and Guidelines were only been available on a section by section basis. Visitors to Germanischer Lloyd’s website will now be able to download a complete pdf version of any of the individual Rules or Guidelines free of cost.

Some of the most notable changes to individual Rules include: the Rules for machinery Installations now have new requirements for exhaust gas cleaning systems. These requirements address system layout, safety concept (hazard analysis), materials, and handling of noxious process substances. The requirements for functional testing onboard are also covered.

GL’s structural Rules for container ships have undergone major amendment, including the following changes: Section 8 Bottom Structures introduces an entirely new sub-section which specifies structural requirements for transverse thrusters. In Section14 Rudder and Manoeuvring Arrangement, as well, a new sub-section H has been added covering devices for improving propulsion efficiency. Section 17 Hatchways has been extensively revised due to the new IACS Unified Requirement S21A Evaluation of Scantlings of Hatch Covers and Hatch Coamings and Closing Arrangements of Cargo Holds of Ships.