Germanischer Lloyd (GL) has released updates to its Rules for Seagoing Ships and Naval Vessels. The updated Rules came into effect on 1 May 2012.

Changes have been made to the following GL Rules for Seagoing Ships: Classification and Surveys, Hull Structures, Machinery Installations, Electrical Installations, Automation, Structural Rules for Container Ships and Stowage and Lashing of Containers.

Additionally, new Rules have been developed for the classification of Crew Boats and Offshore Wind Farm Service Craft.

For Naval Ships updates have also been carried out for the following Rules: Classification and Surveys, Propulsion Plants, Electrical Installations, Automation and Ship Operation Installations and Auxiliary Systems.

The GL Rules and Guidelines are also available for download for the first time in their entirety. Up to this point the Rules and Guidelines have only been available on a section by section basis. Visitors to Germanischer Lloyd’s website will now be able to download a complete pdf version of any of the individual Rules or Guidelines free of cost.

Some of the most notable changes to individual Rules include: the Rules for Machinery Installations now have new requirements for exhaust gas cleaning systems. These requirements address system layout, safety concept (hazard analysis), materials, and handling of noxious process substances. The requirements for functional testing onboard are also covered.

In the GL Rules for Stowage and Lashing of Containers, Annex C – “Container Lashing Fittings” – sets out a new standard for operational tests for fully automatic locks. The specified requirements comprise test setup, loading scenario and test forces for compression, racking and lifting.

GL’s Structural Rules for Container Ships have undergone major amendment, including the following changes: Section 8 “Bottom Structures” introduces an entirely new sub-section – “D” – which specifies structural requirements for transverse thrusters. In Section 14 “Rudder and Manoeuvring Arrangement”, as well, a new sub-section – “H” – has been added covering “devices for improving propulsion efficiency”. Section 17 “Hatchways” has been extensively revised due to the new IACS Unified Requirement S21A “Evaluation of Scantlings of Hatch Covers and Hatch Coamings and Closing Arrangements of Cargo Holds of Ships”.

GL has also released the first comprehensive set of rules for the classification of Crew Boats and Offshore Wind Farm Service Craft. These rules have been developed by bringing together, for the first time, all of the relevant GL rules and the international codes and recommendations which can be used for the classification of Crew Boats. The rules will allow designers to develop vessels built to the special needs of clients according to the Rules with full confidence in the fact that their vessel can meet with classification approval.