ClassNK publishes amended rules

The amendments, made on 25 December 2015, include structural strength requirements of container carriers.

Yasushi Nakamura, ClassNK’s representative director and executive vice president, said: “The development and application of the container ship rule amendments reflects our firm commitment to providing the industry with the appropriate technical standards.”

He added: “The new rules will contribute to even safer ship building and design and we will continue devoting our effort to further improving safety in the maritime industry.”

ClassNK established The Investigative Panel on Large Container Ship Safety, which comprised of shipbuilders shipping companies, and people with relevant knowledge, in June 2013.

It aims to investigate the possibility of casualty occurrence and the structural safety of large container carriers. The results from the investigation and ClassNK’s action plan were released in the Investigation Report on Structural Safety of Large Container Ships in September 2014.

In line with its action plan for rule amendments and the recommendations by the MLIT Committee, ClassNK has updated its independent longitudinal strength requirements in consideration of the effects of whipping, and the effects of sea water pressure and container loads.

The amendments also reflect the new IACS Unified Requirements (UR) S11A and S34. These amendments will apply to container ships contracted for construction on or after 1 April 2016.

Amendments include requirements related to propeller shaft and stern tube shaft surveys, welding procedures and related specifications, scope of application of fire-resistant cables.

As well as fire safety measures for vehicle carriers transporting motor vehicles powered by compressed hydrogen or compressed natural gas.