Feature 1 | CLASSIFICATION Globalisation underpins role of class


Navies and naval shipbuilders are turning more and more to classification societies to oversee new designs and class newbuildings, in order to help them build higher quality, more environmentally friendly vessels that can compete on the export market.


this. “Firstly, navies and naval shipbuilders are under cost pressure like everyone else. They see that if they use a professional inspection body to oversee the hull and propulsion platform for them then this will reduce costs and improve quality, while freeing up their own resources to concentrate on their core business, which is armament and communications,” he explains. “The other two reasons are linked to


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globalisation. Naval shipbuilders want to export their technology as widely as possible. A frigate yard wants to build a series for many different navies. Using class they can provide a globally recognised standard for the hull and machinery, simplifying international sales. “Class can also provide a vital area of


expertise which navies have traditionally not had to worry too much about, and that is compliance with international anti-pollution and environment regulations. Tis is an area where class has huge expertise, with all sorts of vessels, so they can really contribute to help navies operate ships which comply with the same rules as merchant ships, and naval shipbuilders to design and build vessels which are environmentally acceptable across export markets.” Mr Le Gal says an example is the new


rules for naval logistic support vessels (auxiliaries), which Bureau Veritas recently delivered to the French Navy procurement body DGA. These will be used for the French Navy’s logistic


support vessel


renewal programme, which is scheduled to start in 2014. Te new service notation ‘Auxiliary Naval Vessel’ will also be included in the update of BV Naval rules NR483 to be published in November 2011. Te new rules for auxiliaries blend BV’s


naval rules with its existing rules for tankers, and modify MARPOL and Ballast Water


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ves Le Gal, manager, naval and specialised ships at Bureau Veritas (BV), says there are three reasons for


The LCS project is one of a number that ABS is involved with currently.


Management Convention requirements to suit the task. “We carried out a deep risk analysis


studying all the critical situations such a ship could encounter and built the rules around traditional class and statutory requirements,” said Mr Le Gal. “Tese are essentially merchant ships carrying volatile fuels and explosives which have to be safe in a combat environment but also welcome in a commercial port anywhere in the world. Class expertise is invaluable to the navy and naval builders when they design these vessels.” Examples of export-led naval classification


include the first BAM 90m patrol vessel built at Navantia to BV class for the Spanish Navy, which is now on trials. Tree more are under construction and a project for a further five is before the Spanish parliament. Te Indian Navy tasked Bureau Veritas


to class 15 fast interceptors, 13m craft capable of 50knots, to be built at the French Couach yard. Tree have been delivered and


the series will be completed in mid-2012. The second of the series of 12 FREMM multi-role frigates being built in France is for the Royal Moroccan Navy and was launched in September, and DCNS Lorient has hopes for the export potential of the Gowind series 85m OPV class. Te first vessel, the OPV L’Adroit, was built to BV class and delivered to the French Navy in October. Two 200m force projection and helicopter


carrier vessels will be built to BV class for the Russian Navy, under an agreement between DCNS and STX St Nazaire. Te third BPC, Dixmude, has already been delivered to the French Navy and the two in service vessels in this series maintain BV class. Te Royal Malaysian Navy is in discussion with Bureau Veritas for the classification of its Second Generation Patrol Vessels programme (104m frigates). At ABS, Vice President of Government


Operations Rear Admiral (Ret) Craig Bone believes that now more than ever, naval officials should evaluate their vessel


Warship Technology January 2012


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