In-depth | ruleS and reGulationS
Germanischer Lloyd publishes new rules
for offshore service vessels
German-based ship classification society Germanischer Lloyd (GL) has
responded to the technical evolution of offshore support vessels (OSV) by
publishing new rules for offshore support and supply, offshore towing, well-
stimulation and other specialised offshore services.
T
he rules for hull structures of Polar Prince, an
offshore service vessels came into example of an
force on 1 January 2010. They ‘evolved’ offshore
apply to vessels intended for offshore supply vessel
support and supply, offshore towing, (Credit: Subocean
well-stimulation, and other specialised Group).
offshore services. For these vessels the
class notation ‘OFFSHORE SERVICE
VESSEL’ will be assigned, complemented
by optional further notations, such as
‘HNLS’ for ships carrying hazardous and
noxious liquid substances, ‘AH’ for anchor
handling tug/supply vessels, ‘WSV’ for
well-stimulation vessels and ‘WTIS’ for
wind turbine installation/construction
support vessels.
Design and operation of offshore
vessels differs significantly from those Technology’ Sections 2 to 21 of these requirements for the carriage of crude oil
of general cargo ships. Comprehensive rules are based on the existing ‘GL Hull and petroleum products are included.
international regulations are needed Structural Rules for Seagoing Ships’ fitted In Section 26 and onwards, the
to specifically account for the practical to the relevant design aspects for offshore requirements for particular ship types,
demands of OSVs. The new rules reflect service vessels. Amended requirements services, and operational profiles are
today’s modern offshore support vessels. of these sections concern particular specified, such as vessels carrying
Compared to their predecessors, these reinforcements of superstructures and hazardous and noxious substances,
ships are larger, more specialised and weather decks subject to green sea loads which are equipped with systems for
technically more sophisticated to meet the and concentrated loads from heavy vapour detection and alarm as well as
growing demands of complex deepwater cargo items. Scantlings of side shell and emergency shutdown.
field developments. The latest review of frames are increased shell and frames Section 27 of the rules includes design
the OSV rules are intended to support are increased to account for berthing criteria for anchor handling and towing
design and build safer and more robust impacts on offshore installations. These of vessels. Substructures and foundations
offshore service vessels while minimising rules also offer the option to make use for winches, stern rollers and other
operational risks. of aluminium in the design of helidecks, deck machinery, as well as stability
In today’s market the blanket term including respective requirements for requirements for towing operations are
‘supply’ substitutes the broader terms structural fire protection. specially considered.
‘support’ or ‘service’ to an expanded The ‘Hull Outfit’ section incorporates Other vessels having functional
definition of an OSV that includes not specific provisions regarding arrangement equipment, such as well-stimulation
only traditional supply boats, but also of side scuttles and windows. They vessels, fire fighting vessels, oil/chemical
anchor handling tug/supply vessels, specify applicable design loads, as well recovery and transportation vessels, and
well-stimulation vessels, standby vessels, as requirements for glass panes and special purpose vessels, are addressed
even ships built to carry hazardous glass thickness. in subsequent sections of the rules.
and noxious substances to fight fires or Section 22 of the rules, ‘Structural Fire The final section concerns wind turbine
occasionally recover oil. Protection’, is subdivided into special installation vessels. Vessels with or
The new rules, subdivided into 32 requirements for ships with a total of without jack-up capability are classified
sections, Part 6 of the chapter ‘Ship 60, 240, or more persons. Furthermore, separately. OMT
16 Offshore Marine Technology 1st Quarter 2010
p16_OMT_1Q10.indd 16 27/01/2010 15:53:26
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