RINA updates its Rules for the Classification of Ships

Eda Zenic -

Classification Society RINA has amended its Rules for the Classification of Ships.

As of 1 July 2024, these amended rules entered into force.

Part A – Classification and Surveys

  • Ch 1, Sec 2, [4.2.1], [4.2.15], [4.2.16]: Clarified requirements for the additional service feature “BC,” eliminated confusing references to “BC Ch XII,” and allowed owners to request “bulk carrier ch xii” in lieu of “general cargo ship” with “BC Ch XII” service feature.
  • Ch 1, Sec 2, [4.5.2]; Ch 4, Sec 3, [6.5.1]: Introduced IACS UR Z10.1 (Rev.25 - Feb 2023) for hull surveys of oil tankers.
  • Ch 2, Sec 2, [2.2.2]; Ch 4, Sec 2, [3.2.1], [4.2.5]: Introduced IACS UR Z10.2 (Rev.37 - Feb 2023) for hull surveys of bulk carriers.
  • Ch 2, Sec 2, [2.2.2]; Ch 4, Sec 9, [1.2.3], 2.7, [3.2.1], [4.2.5], 4.2.8, Tab 15(new): Introduced IACS UR Z10.5 (Rev.20 - Feb 2023) for hull surveys of double skin bulk carriers.
  • Ch 2, Sec 2, [2.2.18], [2.2.20]; Ch 4, Sec 4, [4.5.1]: Introduced IACS UR Z10.4 (Rev.18 - Feb 2023) for hull surveys of double hull oil tankers.
  • Ch 3, Sec 2, [1.1.2]: Introduced IACS UR PR1A (Rev.9 - Aug 2023) for the procedure for transfer of class.
  • Ch 4, Sec 5, [1.2.3]: Introduced IACS UR Z10.3 (Rev.21 - Aug 2023) for hull surveys of chemical tankers.

Part B - Hull and Stability

  • Ch 1, Sec 3, Tab 1; Ch 10, Sec 4, 1.1.4 - [3.3.5]: Introduced IACS UR A1 (Rev.8 - June 2023) for anchoring equipment.
  • Ch 7, Sec 5 (new): Introduced IACS UR S35 (New - Feb 2023) for buckling strength assessment of ship structural elements, and specified applicable buckling requirements until the next revision of IACS UR S11.
  • Ch 9, Sec 4, Tab 5: Introduced IACS UR S3 (Rev.2 - June 2023) for the strength of end bulkheads of superstructures and deckhouses.
  • Ch 9, Sec 7, various paragraphs and tables: Introduced IACS UR S21 (Rev.6 - Jan 2023) for evaluation of scantlings of hatch covers and hatch coamings of cargo holds of ships, with updates and relocations of some requirements previously in other sections.
  • Ch 9, Sec 7, [9.1.1]: Introduced IACS UR S26 (Rev.5 - May 2023) for the strength and securing of small hatches on the exposed fore deck.
  • Ch 10, various sections: Introduced IACS UR S10 (Rev.7 - Feb 2023, Corr.1 - June 2023, and Corr.2 – May 2024) for rudders, sole pieces, and rudder horns.
  • Ch 10, Sec 4, [1.2.3], [3.5.5], 3.5.7; Ch 10, App 4 (new): Eliminated specific requirements for synthetic fibre wires as IACS Rec 10 (Rev.5 - June 2023) covered all materials.

Part C - Machinery, Systems and Fire Protection

  • Ch 1, Sec 2, [1.1.1]; Ch 1, App 17(new): Introduced IACS UR M82 (New - Mar 2023) for type testing procedure of explosion relief devices for combustion air inlet and exhaust gas manifolds of I.C. engines using gas as fuel.
  • Ch 1, Sec 2, Tab 8: Introduced IACS UR M72 (Rev.3 - Apr 2023) for certification of engine components.
  • Ch 1, Sec 10, [8.8.1] and Tab 22(deleted): Clarified the source of overboard discharge arrangement figures and eliminated redundant table.
  • Ch 1, Sec 10, [11.6.1], [11.8.3], [11.9.3], [11.10.1], [11.10.4]: Updated requirements for fuel oil treatment systems based on IACS Rec 151 (Rev 2 - Nov 2023).
  • Ch 1, Sec 10, [20.7.2], 20.7.3: Introduced IACS UR M81 (Rev.1 - July 2023) for safety measures against chemical treatment fluids used for exhaust gas cleaning systems.
  • Ch 1, Sec 14, [2.3.3], [3.1.3], [3.2.2], [3.4.1]: Introduced IACS UR M73 (Rev.2 - May 2023) for turbochargers.
  • Ch 1, App 1, [10.4.3]: Introduced IACS UR M53 (Rev.5 - May 2023) for calculations for I.C. engine crankshafts.
  • Ch 2, Sec 3, Tab 4 to Tab 10; Ch 3, Sec 2, [2.1.1]: Updated tables on maximum rated conductor temperature, current carrying capacity for cables, and correction factors in line with IEC 60092-352.
  • Ch 2, Sec 8, [1.2.3], [1.2.6]: Updated references to IEC standards for switchgear and control gear assemblies.

Part D – Materials and Welding

  • Ch 2, Sec 1, Tab 34, [11.4.3], [11.5.1], [11.5.2]; Ch 2, App 4 and App 5 (various sections): Introduced IACS UR W31 (Rev.3 - Mar 2023) for YP47 steels and brittle crack arrest steels.
  • Ch 4, Sec 1, [5.3.1], [5.4.4]: Introduced IACS Rec 10 (Rev.5 - June 2023) for chain anchoring, mooring, and towing equipment, and eliminated specific requirements for synthetic fibre wires.

Part E – Service Notations

  • Ch 4, Sec 3, [9.1.1]; Ch 5, Sec 3, [6.1.1]; Ch 6, Sec 3, [9.1.1]: Replaced structural requirements for hatch covers, hatch coamings, and closing devices with references to requirements applicable to all ship types in Pt B, Ch 9, Sec 7.
  • Ch 11, Sec 3, [1.1.3], [1.1.6]: Tightened criteria for using movable obstacles during navigation to avoid crowding of passengers, improved wording on passenger crowding, and corrected cross references.
  • Ch 11, Sec 3, [8.3.2], [8.6.1], [8.7.1]: Clarified application of formula for calculating minimum thickness of balustrade glasses in passenger ships and specified requirements for glass supporting structures.
  • Ch 13, Sec 2, 12.1.6; Ch 14, Sec 2, 2.7.5: Introduced IACS UR A1 (Rev.8 - June 2023) for anchoring equipment.
  • Ch 14, Sec 2, [2.7.1]: Aligned formula for calculating the equipment number for tugs with unrestricted navigation with IACS UR A1.
  • Ch 19, Sec 2, 6.1.1: Exempted certain small vessels from bottom impact pressure requirements if speed reduction is provided in relation to sea state.
  • Ch 25, Sec 1, [1.1.1]: Corrected an error in the name of a service notation.

Part F – Additional Class Notations

  • Ch 3, Sec 1, Tab 3: Corrected a typo in the table for the Unattended Machinery Spaces (AUT-UMS) additional class notation.
  • Ch 4, Sec 1, [1.3.2]; Ch 13, Sec 35, [2.1.1], [3.1.1]: Updated international standards for centralized navigation control system for SYS-NEQ additional class notation and corrected typos in NH3 FUELLED READY additional class notation requirements.
  • Ch 13, Sec 20, [1.1.1]; Ch 14, Sec 15, [2.1.1]: Introduced IACS UR E26 (New - Mar 2023) for harmful harmonic disturbances on the ship’s electrical distribution system from high-power non-linear load equipment.

Part G – Additional Class Notations Based on Options

  • Ch 2, Sec 2, [6.1.2], [6.1.4], [6.1.5]: Introduced IACS UR E27 (New - Mar 2023) for use of bus-ties in the ship’s electrical distribution system during navigation.
  • Ch 5, Sec 4, [4.1.1], [4.1.2], [4.1.3], [4.1.4], 4.2.2: Introduced IACS UR I3 (New - Dec 2023) for machinery requirements for Polar Class ships.

These amendments incorporate updated IACS Unified Requirements (URs) and Recommendations (Recs) to ensure the latest international standards and technical advancements are reflected in RINA's classification rules.