ClassNK released Guidelines for Wind-Assisted Propulsion Systems for Ships 2.0, and Guidelines for Additional Fire-fighting Measures for Container Carrier

The Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) has released the Guidelines for Wind-Assisted Propulsion Systems for Ships (Edition 2.0), and the Guidelines for Additional Fire-fighting Measures for Container Carrier.

Guidelines for Wind-Assisted Propulsion Systems for Ships (Edition 2.0)

The Guidelines for Wind-Assisted Propulsion Systems for Ships (Edition 2.0) specify requirements for ensuring the safety of ships equipped with wind-assisted propulsion systems based on the latest insights obtained from the involvement in actual installation projects.

As a solution for responding to the EEXI regulations and CII rating, and fuel costs reduction, the implementation of wind-assisted propulsion systems is progressing. When such systems are installed on board ships, it is expected to be effective in reducing CO2 emissions, etc., by the use of wind forces. However, depending on the scale and specifications, they also pose risks to ships’ structures, the crew on board, and the surrounding environment.

To provide safety guidance for addressing these risks appropriately, ClassNK published the first edition of Guidelines for Wind-Assisted Propulsion Systems for Ships in 2019 as a standard for wind-assisted propulsion systems and ships equipped with the systems, and has performed plan approvals and surveys related to the actual installation projects.

Reflecting the insights obtained from involvement in the actual installation projects and output of the latest R&D, the guidelines are updated significantly to the second edition.

The overall structure of the guidelines has been revised and organized into three parts: "Wind-Assisted Propulsion Systems", "Base Ships", and "Surveys", and requirements have been refined and clarified.

The guidelines now provide a comprehensive overview of the points to be considered in designing wind-assisted propulsion systems and their installation on ships.

The guidelines are available to download via ClassNK’s website www.classnk.com for those who have registered for the ClassNK “My Page”.

Guidelines for Additional Fire-fighting Measures for Container Carrier

The Guidelines for Additional Fire-fighting Measures for Container Carrier, which specify requirements for indicating additional fire safety measures on container carriers as a class notation.

With the expansion of logistics and the growth in ship sizes, the characteristics and loading methods of cargo carried by ships have increasingly diversified. To achieve a higher level of safety, efforts are being made to implement additional fire-fighting measures beyond the mandatory requirements of the SOLAS and class rules.

In particular, for container carriers engaged in a wide variety of cargo transportation, considerations for the installation of detection and fire-fighting equipment to mitigate fire risks are progressing.

Based on the research of trends related to such equipment, ClassNK has developed Guidelines for Additional Fire-fighting Measures for Container Carrier as requirements for evaluation. According to these guidelines, ClassNK is going to grant a notation on the container carrier to indicate the implementation of additional fire safety measures.

Moreover, responding to the recent increase in the transportation of electric vehicles, ClassNK plans to issue guidelines for car carriers that are also implementing additional fire safety measures.

ClassNK will continue to work on providing necessary guidance and certification services to support initiatives pursuing further safety.

The guidelines are available to download via ClassNK’s website www.classnk.com for those who have registered for the ClassNK “My Page”.

LINK TO THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Guidelines for Wind-Assisted Propulsion Systems for Ships (Edition 2.0)

LINK TO THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Guidelines for Additional Fire-fighting Measures for Container Carrier