Bureau Veritas tackles acoustic pollution

The set of standards and measuring services is grouped as NR614 Underwater Radiated Noise (URN). It aims to control and limit the environmental impact on marine fauna of all self-propelled ships and provide a standard and a system to assess compliance with specific vessel requirements for underwater radiated noise.

“Underwater noise radiating from ships is acoustic pollution, and there is no doubt that it will be the next big area to be tackled by regulators,” said Jean-Francois Segretain, technical director, BV marine and offshore division. “This notation, backed by careful research with an extensive network of partners, means we can help designers, yards and operators to be ahead of regulation. And it makes commercial sense.”

“Reducing underwater noise directly contributes to reduced noise and vibration levels on board, which improves passenger and crew comfort. There is also a strong link between fuel efficiency and noise. Quieter ships burn less, and we can help make ships quieter and so more efficient,” he added.

Bureau Veritas says one of the main drivers of the new notation is to help European stakeholders fulfil the requirements of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, which aims to improve the environmental state of EU waters by proposing mitigation solutions to be put in place by 2016, with their efficiency proved by 2020.

Several new expedition cruise projects have underwater noise reduction in their specifications and other passenger ship operators are discussing BV’s URN notation and its services and technical assistance for implementing noise reduction solutions.

In addition, the company has also signed a collaboration agreement with TSI SL, a Spanish company that specialises in dynamic and acoustical design of quiet ships as well as noise and vibration measurements.