ABS revised the Guide for Building and Classing Liquefied Gas Carriers with Independent Tanks

The American Bureau of Shipping on 1 May 2023 published the revised Guide for Building and Classing Liquefied Gas Carriers with Independent Tanks.

This Guide provides criteria that can be applied in the Classification of the hull structure of a liquefied gas carrier with independent tanks.

The strength criteria contained herein are to be used to verify compliance with the structural analysis requirements in the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (IGC Code) as a condition of classification.

These strength criteria are to be considered supplementary to those for corresponding aspects of Classification as given in Part 5C, Chapter 8 of the ABS Rules for Building and Classing Marine Vessels (the Rules).

The Owner may select to use either this Guide or Part 5C, Chapter 8 of the Rules, however the Classification symbol, SH, (signifying compliance with the SafeHull based criteria in this Guide) will only be granted when the design is based on the criteria of this Guide.

May 2023 version

The May 2023 version revises 5/9.3.2 to remove thickness increase if chocks are fitted to the tank top plating, to allow 10% reduction of SM for tank spaces loaded on both sides to the same level, to give credit in the corrosion allowance for non-corrosive cargo, and to provide an alternate approach for webs and girders.

6/5.11 is also revised to add an alternative for nonlinear analysis for anti-flotation chocks and surrounding hull structure under the LC 12 flooded condition.

If you need more information, please visit the ABS Rules and Guides page, where the document is available FOR FREE.