DNV GL rules for classification: Ships - January 2016

The 2016 January edition of DNV GL rules for classification of ships is now available at www.dnvgl.com

New and amended rules were formally approved on December 14th and are included in the 2016 January edition of the rules. The changes may be categorized into three:

  1. New class notations 
  2. Implementation of external requirements (primarily IACS unified requirements) 
  3. General updates and corrections

Additional to the DNV GL rules, updates of the legacy “DNV Rules for Ships” and “GL Rules for Seagoing Ships” were published in parallel. These have primarily been updated for alignment with IACS unified requirements and to reflect changes as included in the DNV GL rules.

Below is an extract overview of the changes in the DNV GL rules only. For accurate and detailed information on all rule sets, please view summary of changes for DNV rules for Ships and HSLC, GL Rules for seagoing ships and/ or contact your local DNV GL office for further information.


New class notations

  • Scrubber ready (rules Pt. 6 Ch. 4)
  • HOT (rules Pt. 6 Ch. 1 Sec. 12)
  • Block loading (rules Pt. 6 Ch. 1 Sec. 5 and CSR)
  • Chem (rules Pt. 6 Ch. 4)

Revised class notations

  • TMON (rules Pt. 6 Ch. 9 and Pt. 7 Ch. 1)
  • Gas ready (rules Pt. 6 Ch. 2 Sec. 8)

Other significant changes

  • Container Ships
    • i. Longitudinal strength standard  for Hatch Covers and Hatch Coaming  – IACS UR S21A (rules Pt. 3 Ch. 12 Sec. 4)
    • ii. Longitudinal strength standard - IACS UR S11A (rules Pt.  5 Ch. 2)
    • iii. Functional requirements on load cases for strength assessment by finite element analysis – IACS UR S34 (rules Pt. 5 Ch. 2)

  • RO/RO ships
    • i. Clarification of requirements to FEA global model and loading conditions for FE and beam analysis (rules Pt. 5 Ch. 4)

  • Machinery systems
    • i. Torsional vibrations and passing of barred speed range – IACS UR M51 – and inclusion of guidance for passing BSR in relation to possible fatigue damage to propulsion shafting (rules Pt. 4 Ch. 2 Sec. 2 and Pt. 4 Ch. 4 Sec. 1)

A few comments

  • New class notation Scrubber ready: The class notation offers a set of rules to prepare the vessel for future scrubber installations. Parameters like space, weight, overboard connections, etc. are taken into consideration and will help reduce off-hire time and retrofit cost.

  • New class notation HOT: The notation offers requirements for the strengthening of cargo tanks and hull structures for ships intended to carry liquid cargo at high temperature.

  • New class notation Block loading: The notation references the Block loading notation in CSR and offers block loading capabilities for the vessel.

  • New class notation Chem: The notation reflects DNV GL perception of the coming IOSVC code (International Offshore Support Vessel Chemical). It offers a new standard for design on OSVs in relation to bulk chemical carriage and creates possibilities for designing OSVs to function as chemical tankers with regards to range of cargoes to be transported.

  • Revised class notation TMON: Now offering rules for water lubricated stern tube systems in relation to condition monitoring. The rules meet an increased focus on environmental issues and offer unlimited survey intervals for water lubricated tail shafts.

  • Revised class notation Gas ready: The notation now offers requirements for a maintenance plan on installed systems/equipment to meet the gas ready intention and as such helps in ensuring these are kept in good order until time for use.

For accurate and detailed information on all rule sets, please view below links and/ or contact your local DNV GL office for further information.