JAPAN’s ClassNK has concluded its report on the sinking of the 8,110-TEU MOL Comfort in the Gulf of Aden last summer, agreeing with rival DNV GL's investigation, which said the longitudinal girders were not strong enough.
The long awaited, much delayed ClassNK report said the cargo "could have" exceeded the hull girder’s strength when the ship split in two by taking into account the stress of heavy seas.
The possible differences between declared and actual container weights were also cited as possibilities. but there is no information on that.
By one standard, the International Association of Classification Societies (CSR) method, all seemed to be well as the MOL Comfort met requirements in relation to vertical bending strength.
But when using 3-hold model elasto-plastic analyses, the investigation found big differences in the hull girder’s strength against the wave induced vertical bending.
The CSR standard does not consider the effect of lateral loads such as bottom sea pressure and container weights, the report said.
The MOL Comfort could have had a higher possibility of suffering “buckling collapse" of stiffened bottom panel adjacent to the keel, reported Lloyd's List.
“The 3-hold model elasto-plastic analysis considering the effect of the lateral loads reproduces the actual condition of the ships more precisely,?the report said.
“Therefore it can be concluded that the strength of double bottom structure against the lateral load has a close relationship to the hull girder's ultimate strength,?the report said.
The investigation found postpanamax vessels face greater risk due to their lower need for ballast, at point made by the DNV GL investigation.
When compared with smaller ships, post-panamax vessels are more stable and with more cargo capacity, do not need to ballast in their double bottom tanks as often.
Henceforth, ClassNK said it would evaluate postpanamax boxships?hull strength via elasto-plastic analysis.
The final report, including safety recommendations, will be released next March, said the report.
WORLD SHIPPING
03 October 2014 - 20:11
ClassNK probe concurs with rival DNV GL on weak MOL Comfort girders
JAPAN’s ClassNK has concluded its report on the sinking of the 8,110-TEU MOL Comfort in the Gulf of Aden last summer, agreeing with rival DNV GL's investigation, which said the longitudinal girders were not strong enough.
WORLD SHIPPING
03 October 2014 - 20:11
ClassNK probe concurs with rival DNV GL on weak MOL Comfort girders
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