Norway issues Guideline for Electrical Energy Storage (EES) systems

Norwegian Maritime Authority has issued a new Circular containing Guideline for Electrical Energy Storage systems (maritime EES systems) onboard Norwegian ships of less than 24 meters in length. The Circular provides guidance on technical and operational matters which should be adhered to so that EES systems comply with the requirements in section 9 of Act No. 9 relating to ship safety and security (the Ship Safety and Security act).

The Circular covers supervision of ships with maritime EES systems, thermal runaway propagation, design, safety philosophy, source of electrical power, ventilation of EES space, off-gas ventilation and fire safety standards.

General instructions

The EES guideline instructs, inter alia, that a system to be installed onboard should have a valid type approval issued by a classification society recognized by the NMA based on applicable and relevant rules and a type approval scheme for maritime EES systems. A design verification report in combination with tests required by a type approval scheme for maritime EES system witnessed and endorsed by a classification society recognized by the NMA may replace a valid type approval.

Any conditions listed in any type approval(s) of components included in the EES system should be fulfilled (e.g. arrangement, documentation, testing). Documentation (including FAT, quay and sea trial test procedures) and test reports necessary for assessing whether the applicable EES system complies with the requirements should be made available and submitted to the NMA or entities authorised to act on the behalf of the NMA.

RELEVANT DOCUMENTS (AVAILABLE ONLY TO SUBSCRIBERS):

Guideline for electrical energy storage systems (maritime EES systems) onboard Norwegian ships of less than 24 meters in length (L)

Act No. 9 Ship Safety and Security Act