Conformity News

Demand for data that can inform strategies for asset management and performance monitoring is driving the wider adoption of digital tools in shipbuilding. Vessel designers are increasingly able to employ a software-driven approach that creates efficiencies and satisfies compliance.Shipowners want visibility on assets over their lifecycle, and as the era of planned maintenance routines gives way to predictive interventions, shipyards are turning to 3D models to create digital twins…

Classification society ClassNK announced it has issued an approval in principle (AIP) for the conversion plan of the medium-sized self-elevating platform (SEP) vessel for the installation of large wind turbine generator (WTG) on a semi-sub floater in port jointly developed by TOA Corporation (TOA), NIHON SHIPYARD CO.,LTD. (NSY), and Japan Marine United Corporation (JMU).This project involves a semi-sub floater developed by JMU, and a large WTG to be installed by a converted SEP…

Classification society ClassNK announced it has issued an approval in principle (AIP) for an ammonia bunkering vessel (ABV) developed by Japanese shipping company Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line).The ABV developed by NYK Line will be used as a bunkering vessel for ammonia-fueled vessels, which are expected to be widely used from the late 2020s. The company has developed its own design drawings, and introduced a method of creating 3D models linked to the drawings at an early stage of concept design…

Classification society ClassNK has issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for the design of a large-scale liquefied carbon dioxide (CO2) carrier developed through Research and Development Project from NEDO by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL).MOL has launched research and development (R&D) on the adoption of a large-scale liquefied CO2 carrier in response to a call for proposals by Japan's New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) to complete the conceptual design, under a project entrusted by NEDO to Japan CCS Co., Ltd. (JCCS).

A concept for a liquefied natural gas (LNG)-fueled 40,000-cubic-meter-capacity liquefied CO2 carrier has received approval in principle (AIP) from classification society Korean Register (KR).Interest in CO2 capture, transport and burial is growing as an intermediate step to achieving carbon neutrality, leading to greater demand for technology for LCO2 carriers which can safely transport carbon dioxide captured in the supply chain.Transporting CO2 in a liquid state requires a pressure C-Type cargo tank capable of withstanding a high vapor pressure of over 5 atmospheres or greater.

Korean Register (KR) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with ship management company KLCSM and shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) to jointly research and approve the application of autonomous navigation systems for mid- to large-sized vessels.The agreement, which was signed on June 23 at this year’s Korea Ocean Expo in Incheon, Korea, aims to accelerate the commercialization and international competitiveness of domestic autonomous ship equipment and technology…

The classification society ClassNK has awarded an Approval in Principle (AiP) for Mitsubishi Shipbuilding's conceptual design of an ammonia-ready VLGC."Ammonia is expected to be used as ship fuel for decarbonization since it does not emit CO2 when burned. Meanwhile, taking adequate safety measures is imperative due to its characteristics of being toxic to humans and corrosive against materials, and ClassNK has worked on the development of standards and certification," ClassNK said.In 2021…

ClassNK issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for the design of an ammonia-ready LNG-fueled Panamax bulk carrier developed by Planning and Design Center for Greener Ships (GSC).The AiP Handover Ceremony was conducted at the ClassNK booth at Sea Japan 2022 in Tokyo.Ammonia is expected to be used as ship fuel for decarbonization since it does not emit CO2 when burned. Meanwhile, taking adequate safety measures are impartial due to its characteristics of being toxic to humans and corrosive against materials…

ABB Turbocharging has launched a new digital solution designed to offer shipowners simplified management of propulsion efficiency and CO2 emissions monitoring and reporting, and potentially unlock up to 20% fuel savings.The new digital suite, called Tekomar XPERT marine, comprises three modules—engine, hull and propeller, and emissions—which, combined, provide actionable insights into ship performance to help shipping companies make better operating decisions and potentially reduce fuel usage. This, in turn, enables vessels to achieve improved carbon intensity index (CII) ratings.

Swedish offshore vessel operator Viking Supply Ships said Friday its contract for four anchor handling tug supply (AHTS) vessels announced earlier this month could be postponed or canceled due to the Russian invasion in Ukraine. Viking Supply Ships had earlier this month said it had secured a multi-season contract for its four ice-classed anchor handling tug supply (AHTS) vessels, without sharing details on who the client was.On Friday Viking Supply Ships said: "Due to the Russian attack on Ukraine the EU and several other countries have imposed several new sanctions on Russia, and Viking would like to give further details of the contractual status.

ScaffFloat, a patented plastic float that allows pontoons, barges and workboats to be built from standard scaffold components, has just launched its first pontoon in Australia through one of its local partners, AEG Group.Perth-based Access Engineering Group is the first scaffold firm in Australia to become an approved partner of the system, and last week launched an 8m x 4m ScaffFloat pontoon with a submerged access shelf cantilevered of the end to give bespoke access to their…

Classification society ClassNK announced it has issued an approval in principle (AIP) for the design of an ammonia-fueled Panamax bulk carrier developed by Planning and Design Center for Greener Ships (GSC).Ammonia is expected to be used as decarbonized fuel for ships since it does not emit CO2 when burned, however, taking adequate safety measures are impartial due to its characteristics of being toxic to humans and corrosive against materials. While international standards for using ammonia as ship fuel are yet to be developed…

While 2020 proved to be a challenging year for offshore oil and gas markets, the same cannot be said about offshore renewables, which saw substantial growth."It is expected that a number of offshore support vessels (“OSVs”) and crew boats will be redeployed from the offshore oil and gas sector to service the offshore wind industry and that existing offshore wind installation vessels will be upgraded as turbines continue to scale up."Offshore renewable projects achieved an estimated record project sanctioning of US$56bn…

The IMO’s MARPOL Annex IV is being revised to confirm the lifetime performance of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs). This may finally bring about grey water regulation – a necessity that is long overdue.Black Water and Grey WaterA ship’s sewage (black water) is collected from toilets, urinals and hospitals. The IMO’s MARPOL Annex IV prohibits its discharge, except when treated by an STP or discharged at > 12nm from the nearest land. A ship’s grey water, collected from showers, wash basins…

Bureau Veritas (BV), a testing, inspection, and certification body, has completed the classification of the Torman LNG floating regasification unit (FRU) at Tema port, Ghana in sheltered waters.The unit is combined with a floating storage unit (FSU) for the delivery of gas to onshore consumers."This exciting development of Gasfin’s facility – involving the Torman LNG FRU and a Moss-type LNG floating storage unit (FSU), both classed by Bureau Veritas – paves the way for the first…

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has granted approval for OXE Marine's OXE125, OXE150, OXE175 and OXE200 2021 diesel outboard models.In line with OXE Marine's ambition to transform the outboard motor; impacting the journey toward a more sustainable and ecologically positive marine environment, OXE Marine said it is pleased to achieve the certificate of conformity with the clean air act from EPA.According to the manufacturer, the OXE Diesel combines the reliability and endurance of marine inboards with the flexibility and agility of outboard engines…

Naval automation and navigation systems supplier Seastema said its SEAS-PILOT HCS autopilot system has been certified with the MED/4.16 Type Approval Certificate of Conformity by DNV GL.With this result, Seastema, a Fincantieri company, becomes the only Italian manufacturer, and one of the first worldwide, of a certified autopilot system in conformity with the new European regulation MED (Marine Equipment Directive) 2019/1397, the highest international standard in the marine sector.The…

As the cruise industry continues to prosper, so too does Survitec, a specialist in marine evacuation systems (MES). Survitec has a history of more than 160 years, with 2020 marking the centenary since RFD, now part of Survitec, was founded.The story of RFD’s technology dates back to 1920 with the introduction of an aircraft flotation product, essentially an inflatable ring, to prevent planes sinking when ditched. This technology quickly evolved to become dual purpose also providing a means to rescue aircrew in an emergency.As technologies and methodologies became more sophisticated…

Korean Register (KR) has completed a comprehensive cyber security survey of the chemical/oil tanker SONGA HAWK and has certified the ship to be fully compliant in all areas, the very first ship to achieve the certification.Songa Ship management manages and operates 18 chemical/oil tankers and five semi-submersible vessels. The company signed a cyber security contract (valid for five years) with KR in 2018, covering its fleet of 23 vessels.KR conducted a cyber security audit of Songa Ship management and certified the company to be fully compliant in all areas in 2019…

The Trump Administration has proposed a $189m fiscal year 2021 budget for the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), designating just under $27m for offshore wind.The FY 2021 budget includes approximately $26.5 million to advance offshore renewable energy development.In recognition of the role renewable energy can play in securing the Nation’s energy independence and supporting economic growth, BOEM continues to advance renewable energy through its leasing program and streamlining its permitting and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) processes.In addition, the proposed budget increases BOEM’s capacity to undertake research activities and foster stakeholder engagement.According to a press note from BOEM…

A portable analyzer designed for monitoring emissions from ships is now available for sale or rent from Ashtead Technology. “With increasing global efforts to limit ship emissions, and with new regulations to reduce sulphur dioxide emissions coming into force on January 1, 2020, the addition of the Testo 350 MARITIME instrument is perfectly timed,” says Ashtead’s Environmental Sales Manager, Josh Thomas.The Testo 350 MARITIME is the world’s first portable analyzer certified for…

The international accredited registrar and classification society DNV GL has become the world’s first certification body approved to issue IECRE - International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) System for Certification to Standards relating to Equipment for use in Renewable Energy applications - certificates for project certification.The Norway-headquartered organization now able to conduct conformity assessments as official Renewables Energy Certification Body (RECB) relating to project certification, project design certification and site suitability evaluation."DNV GL has been unanimously accepted as the first Renewables Energy Certification Body (RECB) for project certification under the international certification scheme IECRE OD-502.

Naval Group has launched the seventh multi-mission FREMM frigate for the French Navy from a specialist facility in Lorient.Known as Alsace, the vessel is the first of the two air defence frigates under the FREMM programme  – Multi-Mission European Frigates – for the French Navy and the ninth multi-missions FREMM frigate.Thirteen months after the keel laying of the first block, the FREMM DA Alsace is released from the construction form of the Naval Group site of Lorient. Ninth multi-missions FREMM frigate, it is also the seventh one for the French Navy, ordered by the OCCAr on behalf of the DGA..In order to answer the operational requirements…