RULES FOR

CLASSIFICATION OF

SHIPS
GENERAL REGULATIONS

PART 1 CHAPTER 1

GENERAL REGULATIONS
JANUARY 2005

CONTENTS
Sec.
Sec.
Sec.
Sec.

1
2
3
4

PAGE

Classification Principles ............................................................................................................. 5

Scope of Rules and Class Notations........................................................................................... 8
Classification Procedure........................................................................................................... 15
Legal Provisions ....................................................................................................................... 21

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CHANGES IN THE RULES

General
The present edition of the rules includes amendments and additions
decided by the Board as of November 2004 and supersedes the July
2004 edition of the same chapter.
The rule changes come into force as described below.
This chapter is valid until superseded by a revised chapter. Supplements will not be issued except for an updated list of corrections presented in Pt.0 Ch.1 Sec.3. Pt.0 Ch.1 is normally revised in January and
July each year.
Revised chapters will be forwarded to all subscribers to the rules.
Buyers of reprints are advised to check the updated list of rule chapters printed in Pt.0 Ch.1 Sec.1 to ensure that the chapter is current.

been introduced by the new Sec.10 of Pt.5 Ch.2 Passenger and

Dry Cargo Ships.
Under sub-section element B700, Table B16 has been amended
to cover the new additional class notation DSV-SURFACE or BOUNCE or -SAT (previous DSV-I SF or -II SF or -III SF), see
Sec.4 of revised Pt.6 Ch.1 Miscellaneous Notations.
Under sub-section element B700, Table B26 has been amended
to cover the new additional class notation HMON (...) (previous
HMON-1, HMON-2), see revised Pt.6 Ch.11Hull Monitoring
System.
Under sub-section element B700, Table B28 has been amended
as a consequence of the revision of Pt.6 Ch.13 Gas Fuelled Engine Installations.
Under sub-section element B700, a new Table B32 has been inserted covering the new additional class notation NAUT-NAVY
introduced in the new chapter Pt.6 Ch.17 Safety of Navigation
for Naval Vessels.

Main changes coming into force 1 July 2005

Sec.2 Scope of Rules and Classification Notations

Under sub-section element B600 Table B3, the new additional

notations RC-1, RC-2, RC-3 and (X/Y) covering the carriage of
refrigerated containers, have been added. The notations have

Corrections and Clarifications

In addition to the above stated rule requirements, a number of corrections and clarifications have been made to the existing rule text.

Comments to the rules may be sent by e-mail to [email protected]

For subscription orders or information about subscription terms, please use [email protected]
Comprehensive information about DNV and the Society's services is found at the Web site http://www.dnv.com
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In this provision "Det Norske Veritas" shall mean the Foundation Det Norske Veritas as well as all its subsidiaries, directors, officers, employees, agents and any other acting on behalf of Det
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Rules for Ships, January 2005

Pt.1 Ch.1 Contents Page 3

CONTENTS
SEC. 1 CLASSIFICATION PRINCIPLES .................... 5
A. Definitions ..............................................................................5
A 100
A 200
A 300

General ..............................................................................5
Rules .................................................................................5
Audits ................................................................................5

B. The Classification Concept...................................................5

B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B

100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900

General ..............................................................................5
Entering into force of the rules .........................................5
Application of the rules.....................................................5
Basis for assignment of class ............................................6
Basis for maintenance of class ..........................................6
Documentation ..................................................................6
Disclosure of information .................................................7
Limitation of the Society's responsibility .........................7
Vertical contract audits and audits by
National Maritime Authorities ..........................................7

SEC. 2 SCOPE OF RULES AND

CLASS NOTATIONS........................................... 8
A. Scope of Rules........................................................................8
A 100
A 200
A 300

General .............................................................................8
Application of the rules.....................................................8
Rule particulars .................................................................8

B. Class Notations ......................................................................9

B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B

100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1000

General ..............................................................................9
Construction symbols........................................................9
Main character of class .....................................................9
Service area notations .......................................................9
Other service restrictions ..................................................9
Additional class: Service and type notations ....................9
Additional class: Equipment and systems notations .......12
Additional class: Special features notations....................13
National regulations ........................................................13
Additional class: NAUTICUS ........................................14

SEC. 3 CLASSIFICATION PROCEDURE ................. 15

A. Assignment of Class ............................................................15
A 100
A 200

Request for classification ................................................15

Requirements for workshops and yards ..........................15

A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A

300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1000
1100
1200
1300
1400
1500
1600
1700

Requirements for manufacturers.....................................15

Requirements for suppliers of services ...........................15
Requirements for calibration of equipment ....................15
Plan approval ..................................................................15
Survey .............................................................................15
Functional testing............................................................16
Certification of materials, components and systems.......16
Manufacturing Survey Arrangement ..............................17
Type approval .................................................................17
Acceptance of control by National Authorities ..............17
Certificate of interim class ..............................................17
Classification certificate..................................................17
Appendix to the classification certificate........................17
Entry in the Register of Vessels classed with DNV....18
Decline of application for classification .........................18

B. Retention of Class............................................................... 18
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B

100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1000

General............................................................................18
Periodical and renewal surveys.......................................18
Survey of damage ...........................................................18
Repairs ............................................................................18
Procedures for maintenance............................................18
Conversions and alterations ............................................18
Change of ownership ......................................................19
Conditions of Class and Memoranda..............................19
Survey reports and survey status.....................................19
Rules for newbuildings applicable for ships in
operation .........................................................................19

C. Suspension and Withdrawal of Class ............................... 19

C
C
C
C

100
200
300
400

General............................................................................19
Suspension of class .........................................................20
Withdrawal of class.........................................................20
Reclassification ...............................................................20

D. Appeals ................................................................................ 20
D 100

Decisions taken by the Society .......................................20

SEC. 4 LEGAL PROVISIONS...................................... 21

A. Liability and Jurisdiction .................................................. 21
A 100
A 200
A 300

Limited liability .............................................................21

Governing law.................................................................21
Venue ..............................................................................21

DET NORSKE VERITAS

Rules for Ships, January 2005

Pt.1 Ch.1 Contents Page 4

DET NORSKE VERITAS

Rules for Ships, January 2005

Pt.1 Ch.1 Sec.1 Page 5

SECTION 1
CLASSIFICATION PRINCIPLES
A. Definitions
A 100 General
101 For definition of general terms used in the rules, see Pt.0
Ch.2 Sec.1 A200.
A 200 Rules
201 The Rules are to be understood as all those rule requirements accepted by the Board as basis for classification, which
are developed by the Society or adopted from relevant International Maritime Standards.
202 Tentative rules are rules applying to new fields to which
the Society reserves the right to make adjustments during a period in order to obtain the intention reflected in the rules.
203 A Guidance note given in the rules is advice which is not
mandatory for assignment of class, but with which the Society,
in light of general experience, advises compliance, hence, it is
for the client to decide whether to apply the note or not.
204 Det Norske Veritas (DNV) is an autonomous and independent foundation with the object of safeguarding life, property and the environment.
DNV undertakes classification and certification and ensures
the quality of ships, offshore units and installations, facilities
and systems, and carries out research in connection with these
functions.
DNV operates a world wide network of survey stations and is
authorised by more than 120 national administrations to carry
out surveys and, in most cases, issue certificates on their behalf.
205 The Society signifies DNV.
206 The Board signifies the Executive Board of DNV
through its Chairman who is the President and CEO of DNV.
207 National authorities denotes the Administration of any
country of registry.
208 Client means the party having requested classification or
having assumed ownership of a classed ship. In cases where
owners have authorised another party to operate the ship on
their behalf, such party is regarded as the client.
209 IMO is the International Maritime Organization.
210 IACS is the International Association of Classification
Societies.
211 A Recognised classification society means a classification society which is a full or associate member of IACS.
212 A Quality audit is a systematic and independent examination to determine whether established work processes and
quality systems are adhered to.
213 A Supplier or a Manufacturer, supplies materials, components, equipment and systems to newbuildings to be classed,
or to classed ships in operation, whose production is subject to
design approval, surveys and testing in accordance with the
rules.
A 300 Audits
301 A vertical contract audit is an IACS audit which assesses the correct application of the quality system through audit of
the process for a specific contract.
A contract is the specific agreement between the Society and
the client. It defines the extent of services requested by the client, and is concerned with:

the classification of ships, both newbuildings and in operation

statutory work carried out on behalf of National Maritime
Authorities
equipment and materials for ships.
The IACS QSCS (Quality System Certification Scheme) audit
team is responsible for carrying out these audits.

B. The Classification Concept

B 100 General
101 The classification concept comprises the development
of independent technical standards for ships, and the verification of compliance with these standards throughout the ships'
life.
102 The rules are aimed at ensuring safety against hazards to
the ship, personnel, passengers and cargo, and against hazards
to the environment as a consequence of sea transport.
103 The classification of ships is performed in accordance
with the requirements of the rules and any other standards to
which reference is made.
104 Having assigned class, the society will issue a classification certificate and enter the main particulars and details of
class for the ship in the Register of Vessels classed with
DNV.
B 200 Entering into force of the rules
201 Rules and amendments accepted by the Board will come
into force when decided by the Board, normally six (6) months
after acceptance.
Guidance note:
The date on which rule changes come into force is shown on the
inside of the cover of new rule chapters (booklets) and revised
chapters if they are reprinted.
The coming into force date for rule changes concerning chapters
which are not reprinted, but where the changes are published in
Pt.0 Ch.1 Sec.3, is shown on the inside of the cover of Pt.0 Ch.1
and is also explained and shown in Pt.0 Ch.1 Sec.3 B101.
---e-n-d---of---G-u-i-d-a-n-c-e---n-o-t-e---

202 In exceptional cases, where unacceptable service experience and or theoretical findings clearly show that safety hazards may arise in connection with items covered by the existing
rules, the Board may decide to lay down at any time supplementary requirements concerning the assignment and retention
of class to maintain the overall safety standard reflected by the
rules.
203 If an amendment is made mandatory to ships under construction or which have already been assigned class, this will
be specially stated, see 201.
B 300 Application of the rules
301 The applicable rules for assignment of class to a new
ship are those in force at the date (as given to the Society by the
client) when the contract between the owner and the shipyard
is signed.
302 Subsequent amendments not made mandatory according
to 203 may be made applicable to ships under construction provided both builder and owner agree to such application.
303 Ships which undergo conversions or alterations shall
comply with Sec.3 B604.

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Rules for Ships, January 2005

Pt.1 Ch.1 Sec.1 Page 6

304 Ships in operation shall comply with the rules for newbuildings to the extent specified in Sec.3 B1000.
305 The Society will consider alternatives found to represent
an overall safety standard equivalent to that of the rules. Approval may be revoked if subsequent information indicates that
the chosen alternative is not satisfactory.
306 In cases where detailed requirements are not given in the
rules, specific solutions or decisions approved by the Society
and its surveyors are to be based on the principles of the rules,
and are to give a safety standard equivalent to that of the rules.
307 In accordance with 305 the Society may consider the use
of reliability methods as a means of documenting compliance
to class requirements. For applications to hull structures, see
Pt.3 Ch.1 Sec.3 B1000.
308 Text adopted from International Maritime Standards is
identified by relevant reference.
B 400 Basis for assignment of class
401 Having assigned a specific class implies that the Society:
has been satisfied that the ship meets the rule requirements
for the particular class
will, through a system of surveys, verify that the requirements stipulated for retention of class are complied with.
402 Prior to assigning class to an eligible, existing ship, it is
in general to undergo all periodical surveys pertaining to the
age and type of the ship. See Sec.3 A705.
403 When assigning class to a ship which has not been built
under supervision of the Society, provided the ship has been
built under supervision of another recognised classification society, the Society may on the basis of an overall safety consideration, in connection with a design review and survey, exempt
it from rule requirements for the main class. See also 305.
404 When assigning class to a ship of a series under construction to the classification of, or a design previously accepted by, a recognised classification society, the Society may on
the basis of an overall safety consideration, in connection with
Table B1 Disclosure of information
Information in question:

a design review, exempt it from the rule requirements for the

main class, and base the survey on the design approval done by
the recognised society. A note to this effect may be included in
the Appendix to the classification certificate.
405 When assigning class to a ship for which the Administration of the flag state undertakes approval and surveys of
items covered by the rules, the Society may accept their decisions as basis of assigning class.
406 For ships permanently moored on location and intended
for production and storage of hydrocarbons, the Society may
also accept decisions by the National Authority with jurisdiction over the waters in which the ship is to operate (shelf state)
as basis for assigning class.
B 500 Basis for maintenance of class
501 The requirements for retention of class are found in
Sec.3 B. In addition, classification is based on the following:
Valid statutory certificates
The statutory certificates of the applicable international conventions shall be valid at all times, and the surveys prescribed
in the conventions shall be carried out within the time windows
prescribed.
Maintenance of the ship and its equipment
It is assumed that the ship, machinery installations and equipment are to be maintained at a standard complying with the requirements of the rules.
Installed systems or equipment carried on board in excess of
the rule requirements, but otherwise covered by the rules, are
either to be maintained in accordance with the rules, or be removed or be disconnected in such a way as to ensure that the
installed system or equipment cannot be used.
Handling of the ship
It is assumed that the ship, machinery installations and equipment are to be adequately manned and competently handled.
This includes also stowage of cargo, distribution of ballast and
bunkers, and speed and navigation in heavy weather. Class
conditions regarding the use of the ship are to be observed.

Owner

Flag Administration

Port State
Authority

Insurance
Company *

Yard or
suppliers

2)

1)

4)

2)

2)

2)

4)

1)

1)

3)

4)

4)

1)

1) **

4) + 1)
2)

1)
2)

2) + 5)

3)
2)

Newbuildings:
a)
b)

Approved "as carried out" structure related drawings

Approved "as carried out" system and component
drawings
Ships in Operation:
a)
b)

Class and statutory certificates issued by the Society

Survey and certificate status including text of
Conditions of Class
c) Survey reports
Other information: Correspondence with yard or owner

1)

Upon request

2)

When accepted by owner or ship yard and copyright holder as applicable

2)

3)

When accepted by owner or through special clause in insurance contract

4)

Automatically available

5)

Upon request, with background information, reports pertinent to the inspection, and details of outstanding conditions of class and statutory items

*
**

Insurance Company means P&I Clubs and Hull & Machinery Underwriters
Overdue Conditions of Class, only

B 600 Documentation
601 All information which may influence the judgement, decisions and requirements of the Society for the purpose of classification, is to be made available to the Society. It is the
client's responsibility to ensure that such information is

brought to the attention of the Society in a timely manner. Information may be made available by submitting documents to
the Society or by surveys performed at the clients premises, the
ship or the premises of the client's sub-contractors.

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Rules for Ships, January 2005

Pt.1 Ch.1 Sec.1 Page 7

602 Documents for information or approval required in each

chapter of the rules are to be submitted to the Society.
603 The documentation forming the basis for classification
is, at all times, to reflect the true conditions. Revisions of documents are therefore to be submitted to the Society to the extent such revisions may influence decisions and requirements
of the Society.

705 Notwithstanding 601 and 603 the Society may disclose

any information to a police authority upon a written request by
the same.
706 The Society may release information on required class
and statutory surveys and schedules, delegated statutory certification, overdue surveys and overdue conditions and class
suspensions and deletions.

B 700 Disclosure of information

701 The Society will not disclose any information received
or reports made in connection with classification to any other
than those entitled thereto or those having been given the right
to receive information by legislation, court decision or by written permission by the owner. The supply of information may
take place electronically and on a continual basis, e.g. by online access to the Society's databases.

B 800 Limitation of the Society's responsibility

801 The classification service is performed on the basic assumption that other parties involved (building yard, designers,
manufacturers, sub-contractors, shipowners, etc.) fulfil their
individual obligations. The classification service is not performed in substitution of other parties' role or obligations.
Nothing contained herein or in any certificate, report or document issued in connection with or pursuant to these rules, shall
relieve any designer, engineer, builder, manufacturer, shipyard, seller, supplier, owner, operator or other parties from any
obligations or consequences of default whatsoever. In particular, compliance with the rules does not imply acceptance or
commissioning of a ship. This is the exclusive responsibility of
the owner.
Any document issued by the Society in relation to surveys performed reflects the condition of the ship at the time of survey.
It is the responsibility of the owner to maintain the condition
of the ship as required by the rules between surveys.

Guidance note:
Table B1 indicates which parties will be entitled to various kinds
of information.
---e-n-d---of---G-u-i-d-a-n-c-e---n-o-t-e---

702 The Society will not disclose information that can be

considered as the property of another party except when this
party's permission is given in writing.
703 Internal communication, notes, calculations etc. produced within the Society in connection with classification will
not be disclosed to other parties.
704 Notwithstanding 601 to 603, authorised representatives
of the maritime Administration or of the audit team of IACS
performing quality audits, will have access to such information. These representatives are to confirm in writing that they
are not in any manner allowed to reproduce or communicate
such information to other parties.

B 900 Vertical contract audits and audits by National

Maritime Authorities
901 For the purpose of conducting vertical audits performed
by the audit team of IACS, and audits performed by the National Maritime Authorities of the flag state, access is to be
provided to the ship and/or to the premises of manufacturer or
shipbuilder, as appropriate.

DET NORSKE VERITAS

Rules for Ships, January 2005

Pt.1 Ch.1 Sec.2 Page 8

SECTION 2
SCOPE OF RULES AND CLASS NOTATIONS
A. Scope of Rules

A 300

A 100 General
101 The rules define acceptance criteria for design, construction, survey and testing of ships, their machinery installations,
systems and equipment, applicable to the newbuilding and operational phases.
A 200 Application of the rules
201 The present part of the rules, Pt.1, applies to all ships,
newbuildings as well as ships in operation.
202 The rules for main class which apply to all newbuildings
are given in Pt.2, 3 and 4.
In addition to the main class requirements some special feature
additional class notations are also covered in these parts.
203 The rules for additional class notations applicable to
newbuildings, not covered by main class, are given in Pt.5 and
6. Additional class notations apply to:
ships which have been designed to carry special cargoes or
perform a special service
special equipment and systems not covered by the main
class
special features not covered by other notations.
204

The rules for ships in operation are given in Pt.7.

Rule particulars

301 The rules give requirements in the following areas:

Table A1 Areas covered by the rules
Hull
strength
structural fire protection
weathertight and watertight integrity
stability and floatability
tank arrangement
Machinery installations and equipment
Machinery installations and equipment, including their related auxiliary functions, with respect to strength and performance as applicable to the following main functions:

power generation
propulsion
steering
fire safety
drainage and bilge pumping
ballasting
cargo handling, with the exception of lifting and dry cargo handling appliances such as cranes and derricks (with sheaves,
blocks, wire ropes, winches and loose lifting gear) and lifting
gear for cargo ramps and hoistable decks. For ships with additional class notation Crane Vessel or CRANE such appliances are subject to classification
anchoring.
Certain machinery installations, regardless of their contribution to
the main functions stated above:
electric power plant
gravity tanks or pressure vessels and associated piping systems
for:

toxic fluids
fluids with flash point below 100C
fluids with temperatures above 220C
boilers and steam piping systems
pressure vessels and associated piping systems for compressed gases where pV 150 kNm
p = design pressure in kN/m2
V = pressure vessel volume in m3
firing and combustion installations
other installations stated in the rules.
Life-saving appliances and arrangements
Internal communications
Carriage of dangerous goods
dangerous goods in packaged form or in solid form in bulk
construction and equipment of ships carrying dangerous liquid
chemicals in bulk
construction and equipment of ships carrying liquefied gases in
bulk.
Pollution prevention
by oil
by noxious substances in bulk
by harmful substances.
Management of safety and environmental protection (SEP)
safety management systems.

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Rules for Ships, January 2005

Pt.1 Ch.1 Sec.2 Page 9

B. Class Notations
B 100 General
101 All ships will be given a main class notation consisting
of a construction symbol, a main character of class, and where
applicable, a service area restriction notation, e.g.:
# 1A1
or
# 1A1 R2
102 Ships also found to satisfy relevant requirements may be
given additional class notations related to special service and
type of ship, special systems and equipment or to special features.
The complete class notation will thus consist of (as exemplified):
# 1A1 R2 Tanker for Oil ESP E0 ETC
Main class notations:

#
1A1
R2

Construction symbol
Main character of class
Service area notation

Additional class notations:

Tanker for Oil ESP Service and type notation
E0
Equipment and systems notation
ETC
Special feature notation
B 200 Construction symbols
201 The symbol # will be given to ships built under the supervision of DNV.
will be given to ships built under the su202 The symbol #
pervision of a recognised classification society and later assigned class with DNV. See Sec.1 B303.
B 300 Main character of class
301 The notation 1A1 will be given to ships with hull machinery and equipment found to be in compliance with the rule
requirements stated in Pt.1, 2, 3 and 4.
B 400 Service area notations
401 The notation R followed by a number or a letter will be
given to ships with certain modifications to arrangement,
equipment or scantlings in relation to ships normally built for
winter weather conditions in the North Atlantic.
The service area restrictions given in nautical miles and representing the maximum distance from nearest harbour or safe anchorage are given in Table B1. For the various service
notations the restrictions are related to the zones, areas and seasonal periods as defined in the International Convention on
Load Lines, 1966, Annex II.
The service notation RE is limited to enclosed waters such as
fjords, harbours, rivers and smaller lakes.
The service area restrictions as related to the given service area
notation are to be included in the Appendix to the classification certificate.

Table B1 Service area restrictions

Service area
Seasonal zones
notations
Winter
Summer
Tropical
R0
250
No restrictions No restrictions
R1
100
200
300
R2
50
100
200
R3
20
50
100
R4
5
10
20
RE
Enclosed waters

402 Modified requirements related to the various service

area notations are given in the relevant sections of the rules.
The modifications will affect:
design hull girder loads
design pressures on shell, weather decks, superstructures
and deckhouses
anchoring and mooring equipment
arrangement
stability.
B 500 Other service restrictions
501 Other service restrictions or operational limits included
in the design assumptions of a ship will be stated in the appendix to the classification certificate, and/or on special signboards.
502 Modified rule requirements are in addition given related
to the size of the ship and its general arrangement in:
Pt.3 Ch.1 Sec.1
Pt.3 Ch.2 Sec.1
Pt.3 Ch.1 Sec.3
Pt.3 Ch.2 Sec.3
Pt.3 Ch.1 Sec.5
Pt.3 Ch.2 Sec.5
Pt.3 Ch.1 Sec.13
Pt.3 Ch.3 Sec.3
Pt.4 Ch.6 Sec.4
Pt.4 Ch.8 Sec.3

regarding definition of length (barge/push-tug)

regarding subdivision
regarding hull section modulus
regarding connection barge and push-tug
regarding anchoring and mooring equipment
regarding bilge pumping for vessels less than 100
gross tonnage
regarding electrical installations (outside tropical
waters)

B 600 Additional class: Service and type notations

601 Ships arranged and or strengthened for a special service
and found to be in accordance with relevant requirements in
Pt.5 will be given a corresponding additional class. Service and
type notations currently in use are given in Tables B2 to B15.
602 Only brackets in bold type are to be included in class notations.
603 The following type and service notations are defined as
mandatory class notations:
Bulk Carrier ESP
Bulk Carrier ESP ES(..)
Ore Carrier ESP
Ore Carrier ESP ES(O)
Tanker for Oil ESP
Tanker for Oil Products ESP
Bulk Carrier or Tanker for Oil ESP
Ore Carrier or Tanker for Oil ESP
Tanker for Chemicals ESP
Tanker for C * ESP
Tanker for Liquefied Gas
Tanker for Compressed Natural Gas
Passenger Ship
Car Ferry A (or B)
Train Ferry A (or B)
Car and Train Ferry A (or B)

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Rules for Ships, January 2005

Pt.1 Ch.1 Sec.2 Page 10

The detailed specifications of these ship types are given in Pt.5.

Table B2 Ships arranged for navigation in ice (Pt.5 Ch.1):
ICE-C
basic ice rule
ICE-1A*
Baltic ice rules
ICE-1A
Baltic ice rules
ICE-1B
Baltic ice rules
ICE-1C
Baltic ice rules
ICE-1A* F
ice strengthening of high powered
ships for regular traffic in heavy ice
ICE-05 (or -10 or -15)
Arctic ice rules
POLAR-10 (or -20 or -30) Arctic ice rules
Icebreaker
Arctic ice rules
Sealer

Table B3 Passenger and dry cargo vessels (Pt.5 Ch.2):

Passenger Ship
non ro-ro passenger ships, mandatory
Car Ferry A (or B)
ro-ro passenger ships, mandatory
Train Ferry A (or B)
ro-ro passenger ships, mandatory
Car and Train Ferry A
ro-ro passenger ships, mandatory
(or B)
General Cargo Carrier dry cargo ships
Bulk Carrier
dry cargo ships
Bulk Carrier ESP
dry bulk cargoes, mandatory
Ore Carrier ESP
ore cargoes in centre holds,
mandatory
Bulk Carrier ESP ES(..) dry bulk cargoes, mandatory
Ore Carrier ESP ES(O) ore cargoes in centre holds,
mandatory
Container Carrier
dry cargo ships
Car Carrier
dry cargo ships
X Carrier
ships specialised for the carriage of a
single type of dry cargo
A
= vehicles on enclosed decks
B
= vehicles on weather deck only
ESP = enhanced survey programme
ES(S) = single side skin bulk carriers with enhanced strength
ES(D) = double side skin bulk carriers with enhanced strength
ES(O) = ore carriers with enhanced strength
X
= denotes the type of cargo to be carried, e. g. Alumina,
Cement, Sugar etc.
Additional notations:

= roll on/roll off ships

RO/RO
CONTAINER = arranged for carriage of containers
BC-C
= designed to carry dry bulk cargoes of cargo density less than 1.0 t/m3
BC-B
= designed to carry dry bulk cargoes of cargo density 1.0 t/m3 and above with all cargo holds
loaded in addition to BC-C conditions
BC-A
= designed to carry dry bulk cargoes of cargo density 1.0 t/m3 and above with specified holds
empty, at maximum draught in addition to BCB conditions.
BC-B*
= designed to carry dry bulk cargoes of density
1.0 t/m3 and above with any hold empty at maximum draught, applicable to double hull vessels
and general cargo carriers
= designed to carry dry bulk cargoes of cargo denHC-A
sity 1.0 t/m3 and above with specified holds
empty, at maximum draught in addition to HCB conditions. Not applicable for bulk carriers
with length more than 150 m.
HC-B
= designed to carry dry bulk cargoes of cargo density 1.0 t/m3 and above with all holds loaded in
addition to HC-C conditions. Not applicable for
bulk carriers with length more than 150 m.
HC-C
= designed to carry dry bulk cargoes of cargo density less than 1.0 t/m3. Not applicable for bulk
carriers with length more than 150 m.
HC-B*
= designed to carry dry bulk cargoes of cargo density 1.0 t/m3 and above with any holds empty at
maximum draught, applicable for double hull
vessels and general cargo carriers. Not applicable for bulk carriers with length more than 150
m.
MCDK
= arranged with movable car decks
= arranged for carriage of cars with fuel in their
PET
tanks
RC-1
= vessels for carriage of refrigerated container
containing mainly chilled cargo
= vessels for carriage of refrigerated containers
RC-2
containing both frozen and chilled cargo
RC-3
= vessels for carriage of refrigerated containers
containing mainly deep frozen cargoes
(X/Y)
= meaning that the vessel may carry X reefer containers on deck and Y in the holds

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Pt.1 Ch.1 Sec.2 Page 11

Table B4 Oil carriers (Pt.5 Ch.3):

Tanker for Oil ESP
mandatory
Tanker for Oil Products ESP mandatory
Bulk Carrier or Tanker for
mandatory
Oil ESP
Ore Carrier or Tanker for Oil mandatory
ESP
Tanker for C *
Additional notations:
BOW LOADING
STL= submerged turret loading
SPM = single point mooring
Table B5 Chemical carriers (Pt.5 Ch.4):
Tanker for Chemicals ESP mandatory
Tanker for C ESP **
mandatory
Tanker for C *
*
C = specified cargo
** The additional class notation ESP is mandatory for self propelled ships intended for carriage of liquid chemicals in bulk in
accordance with IMO's International Code for the Construction
and Equipment of Ships carrying Dangerous Chemicals in
Bulk (IBC Code), or Code for the Construction and Equipment
of Ships carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (BCH Code),
as applicable.
Table B6 Liquefied gas carriers (Pt.5 Ch.5):
Tanker for Liquefied Gas
mandatory
Tanker for C *
* C = specified cargo
Table B7 Fishing vessels (Pt.5 Ch.6):
Fishing Vessel (S)
Stern Trawler (S)
Fishing Vessel (S)(N)
Stern Trawler (S)(N)
S
= arranged with shifting boards in cargo holds
(N) = vessel also complying with the requirements of the Norwegian Maritime Directorate

Table B8 Tugs, escort vessels, supply vessels, and other offshore

or harbour vessels (Pt.5 Ch.7):
Tug
Escort (n,V) or (n,8 n,10)
Supply Vessel
Supply Vessel SF
Supply Vessel Basic
Supply Vessel Basic SF
Standby Vessel
Standby Vessel (S)
Fire Fighter I or Fire Fighter II or Fire Fighter III or Fire
Fighter I and II or Fire Fighter I and III
Pipe Laying Vessel
Cable Laying Vessel
Crane Vessel
Dredger
Well Stimulation Vessel
Well Stimulation Barge
Pusher or Pusher and Pusher/Barge Unit
Barge
Barge for Oil
Barge for Liquefied Gas
Barge for Deck Cargo
(n,V)
= escort rating number
n
= transverse steering pull in tonnes
V
= the speed at which the pull may be attained
OILREC = recovered oil reception and transportation
SF
= controlled stability and floatability
Basic
= applicable to offshore supply vessels not strengthened to regularly operate in the North Sea but primarily operate in less severe offshore environments
such as: South East Asia, Africa and Brazil.
LFL
= low flashpoint (< 60C) liquid
LFL*
= low flashpoint (< 43C) liquid
Table B9 Slop reception and processing facilities (Pt.5 Ch.8):
Slop Reception and Processing Facility
Table B10 Ships for carriage of refrigerated cargoes (Pt.5
Ch.10):
Reefer(...C/...C sea) refrigerated cargoes main purpose
RM(...C/...C sea)
refrigeration plant, partial carriage and
fishing vessels
RM(Container)
refrigerated containers
CA
controlled atmosphere in cargo chambers
CA(port.)
controlled atmosphere in cargo chambers with partly portable equipment
Refrigerated Fruit
bulk transport in refrigerated tanks
Juice Carrier
Table B11 Ships arranged for carriage of dangerous goods (Pt.5
Ch.11):
DG-B
arranged for dangerous solid
bulk cargoes
DG-P
arranged for dangerous goods in
packaged form
Table B12 Ships with controlled environmental standards
(Comfort Class) (Pt.5 Ch.12):
COMF-V(crn) (or -C(crn) or -V(crn)C(crn))
V = noise and vibration
C = indoor climate
crn = comfort rating number, 1, 2 or 3, where 1 is best.
Table B13 Ships for carriage of potable water (Pt.5 Ch.13)
Tanker for Potable Water

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Table B14 Naval vessels (Pt.5 Ch.14):

Naval
Naval Support
Naval Support (....)
hull
= additional naval requirements for arrangements as
given in Pt.5 Ch.14 Sec.2, loads in Pt.5 Ch.14 Sec.3
and hull strength in Pt.5 Ch.14 Sec.4 have been applied
stab
= naval requirements for stability as given in Pt.5
Ch.14 Sec.5 have been applied
system = additional naval requirements for piping as given in
Pt.5 Ch.14 Sec.6, machinery in Pt.5 Ch.14 Sec.7,
electrical in Pt.5 Ch.14 Sec.8, control and monitoring in Pt.5 Ch.14 Sec.9 have been applied
fire
= additional naval requirements for fire safety as given
in Pt.5 Ch.14 Sec.10 or 11 have been applied
evac
= naval requirements for safe evacuation as given in
Pt.5 Ch.14 Sec.12 have been applied
radhaz
= naval requirements for radiation hazards as given in
Pt.5 Ch.14 Sec.13 have been applied
emc
= naval requirements for electromagnetic compatibility as given in Pt.5 Ch.14 Sec.14 have been applied
sam
= naval requirements for storage rooms for ammunition as given in Pt.5 Ch.14 Sec.15 have been applied
F-NAVAL
additional fire protection requirements, as given in
Pt.5 Ch.14 Sec.11 I, have been applied
Table B15 Compressed Natural Gas Carriers (Pt.5 Ch.15):
Tanker for Compressed
compressed natural gas carriers
Natural Gas
mandatory

B 700 Additional class: Equipment and systems notations

701 Ships having special equipment or systems found to satisfy relevant requirements in Pt.6, will be given a corresponding additional class. Equipment and systems notations
currently in use are given in Tables B16 to B30.
Table B16 Miscellaneous notations (Pt.6 Ch.1):
HELDK(-S or -SH or -SHF)
helicopter deck
CRANE
shipboard crane
DEICE
equipment with deicing or antiicing systems
DEICE-C
equipment with deicing or antiicing systems including cargo
deck area
DSV-SURFACE
diving system
(or -BOUNCE or -SAT)
OPP-F
oil pollution prevention - fuel
systems
S
= ship safety requirements
SH
= ship and helicopter safety requirements
SHF = ship and helicopter safety requirements and on board
helicopter service facilities
SF
= intact and damage stability

F-AM
F-AC
F-MC
F-AMC

for accommodation and machinery space

for accommodation and cargo
space
for machinery and cargo space
for accommodation, machinery
and cargo space

Table B20 Integrated computer systems (Pt.6 Ch.5):

ICS
Table B21 Centralised cargo control for liquid cargoes (Pt.6
Ch.6):
CCO
Table B22 Dynamic positioning systems (Pt.6 Ch.7):
dynamic positioning system without redunDYNPOS-AUTS
dancy
dynamic positioning system with an indeDYNPOS-AUT
pendent joystick back-up and a position reference back-up
dynamic positioning system with redundanDYNPOS-AUTR
cy in technical design and with an independent joystick back-up
dynamic positioning system with redundancy in technical design and with an independent joystick back-up. Plus a back-up
DYNPOS-AUTRO dynamic positioning control system in an
emergency dynamic positioning control
centre, designed with physical separation for
components that provide redundancy
Position mooring systems (see Offshore Standard DNV-OS-E301)
POSMOOR
passive position mooring system
mooring system designed for positioning in
POSMOOR-V
vicinity of other structures
thruster
assisted mooring system dependent
POSMOOR-TA
on manual remote thrust control system
thruster assisted mooring system dependent
POSMOOR-ATA
on automatic remote thrust control system
V
= mooring in vicinity of other structures
TA, ATA = mooring systems designed for thruster assisted
mooring.
Table B23 Nautical Safety (Pt.6 Ch.8):
bridge design, workstation arrangement, range and
NAUT-OC
location of equipment
(ocean areas and coastal waters)
extended requirements for one-man workstation,
grounding avoidance system and automation level.
NAUT-AW
Data on manoeuvring characteristics
(all waters)
NAUT-OC-Q Q denotes a successful audit of operational proceNAUT-AW-Q dures and the qualifications of bridge personnel

Table B17 Redundant propulsion (Pt.6 Ch.2):

RP
redundant propulsion
RPS
separate redundant propulsion

Table B24 Loading Computer Systems (LCS) (Pt.6 Ch.9)

loading computer systems for damage control, apLCS-DC
ply to integrated systems developed to assist the
master as a decision aid under damage conditions

Table B18 Periodically unattended machinery space (Pt.6

Ch.3):
E0
unattended machinery space
ECO
machinery centralised operated

Table B25 Vapour control systems (Pt.6 Ch.10):

VCS-1
systems for control of vapour emission from cargo
VCS-2
tanks
VCS-3

Table B19 Additional fire protection (Pt.6 Ch.4):

F-A
for accommodation space
F-M
for machinery space
F-C
for cargo space

additional notation for VCS-1 and VCS-2:

B = vapour balancing
Table B26 Hull monitoring system (Pt.6 Ch.11):
HMON (...) system for monitoring hull response, sea state and
operational parameters. Letters and numbers in the
parenthesis will indicated type of sensors/features
and number installed of each

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Table B27 Environmental class (Pt.6 Ch.12):

basic requirements for controlling and limitCLEAN
ing operational emissions and discharges
additional requirements for controlling and
limiting operational emissions and dischargCLEAN DESIGN es. In addition, this notation specifies design
requirements for protection against accidents
and for limiting their consequences
Table B28 Gas fuelled engine installations (Pt.6 Ch.13):
mandatory for ships with gas fuelled engine
GAS FUELLED
installations, other than steam driven LNG
carriers
Table B29 Fuel treatment and conditioning system
(Pt.6 Ch.14)
FUEL (- cSt, - kg/m3, -C) vessels with a fuel system and equipment complying with the relevant
rules may be given the additional
class notation
FUEL (- cSt, - kg/m3, -C)
The numbers in brackets indicate the
maximum viscosity in cSt at 50C,
the maximum density in kg/m3 at
15C of the fuel oil and the minimum
outside air temperature for which the
installations are approved.
Table B30 Vibration class (Pt.6 Ch.15)
applicable to newbuildings and ships in operation
that meet specified vibration level criteria measured
VIBR
at pre-defined positions for machinery, components,
equipment and structure
Table B31 Bridge design on seagoing ships, bridge control
console (Pt.6 Ch.16)
this class notation may be used to assign class to
ships, constructed before 1 July 2002 and with an
NAV-O
equivalent class notation, that are transferred to
DNV from another classification society
Table B32 Safety of Navigation for naval vessels (Pt.6 Ch.17)
Requirements and guidelines on safety of navigaNAUTtion for naval vessels to demonstrate compliance
NAVY
with SOLAS Ch. V and the HSC Code Ch. 13 and
Ch. 15 as amended
Table B33 Management of safe ship operation and pollution
prevention (Pt.7 Ch.5):
management of safety and environment protection
SBM
in ship operation

B 800 Additional class: Special features notations

801 Special features notations provide information regarding special design assumptions, arrangements or equipment
which are not covered by the main class requirements or the
other additional class notations. (See also 802).
Table B34 Special features notations
BIS
Ships built for in-water survey of the ship's
bottom and related items (Pt.3 Ch.1 Sec.1 E)
DAT( - x C)
lowest design ambient air temperature (Pt.3
Ch.1 Sec.2)
DK(+)
decks for heavy cargo (Pt.3 Ch.1 Sec.4)
HA(+)
hatches for heavy cargo (Pt.3 Ch.1 Sec.4)
HL()
tanks for heavy liquid (Pt.3 Ch.1 Sec.4)
IB(+)
inner bottom strengthened for grab loading
and discharging (Pt.3 Ch.1 Sec.6)
HOT(... C cargo structures built for high temperature cargo
tank no ...)
(Pt.3 Ch.1 Sec.15)
CSA-2
structural scantlings based on extended calculation procedure covering loads and structural
response analysis. (Pt.3 Ch.1 Sec.16)
COAT-1
requirements to specifications of corrosion
COAT-2
prevention in ballast tanks for newbuildings.
Cargo tanks/holds are included depending on
the type of vessel. (Pt.3 Ch.1 Sec.16)
PLUS-1
structural scantlings and design of critical dePLUS-2
tails in cargo area based on enhanced procedures for fatigue calculations. Intended for
vessels with a long target life or vessels operating in especially harsh areas. (Pt.3 Ch.1
Sec.16)
ICM
increased corrosion margin (Pt.3 Ch.1 Sec.2
D300 and Pt.3 Ch.2 Sec.2 D300)
PWDK
decks strengthened for wheel loading (Pt.5
Ch.2 Sec.4)
HOLDS(a, b, ......) combination of holds which may be empty on
MAY BE EMPTY full draught (Pt.5 Ch.2 Sec.5)
No MP
not strengthened for multiport loading, i. e.
not designed to carry maximum allowable
cargo hold design mass at reduced draught
(Pt.5 Ch.2 Sec.5)
MAXIMUM
designed for a cargo density less than
CARGO
3 t/m3 (Pt.5 Ch.2 Sec.5)
DENSITY(x.y)
...TEU
number of twenty-foot containers which may
be carried (Pt.5 Ch.2 Sec.6)
ETC
arranged for effective tank cleaning (Pt.5 Ch.3
Sec.1)
INERT
oil carriers less than 20 000 dwt fitted with inert gas system (Pt.5 Ch.3 Sec.11)
Table B35 Tailshaft monitoring (Pt.7 Ch.2):
TMON
Tailshaft condition monitoring arrangement

802 For chemical carriers information related to ship type,

type of tanks, liquid level gauging devices, tank vent systems,
overflow control, cargo stripping efficiency, cofferdams and
ventilation systems outside cargo tanks may be provided
where applicable, see Pt.5 Ch.4.
B 900 National regulations
901 A ship trading under its own flag in domestic waters, or
between neighbour states, upon agreement between such
states, may be assigned class based on the flag state requirements for domestic service instead of those rule requirements
pertaining to assigned class notations. The assigned class shall
be the class notations and service restrictions with the least
possible deviation from the rule requirements.

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Pt.1 Ch.1 Sec.2 Page 14

Guidance note:
The rules apply primarily to ships on international voyages for
which the SOLAS, MARPOL and Load Line Conventions apply.
For ships designed to a national standard of a flag state or an EU
standard, DNV may consider such alternative standards as basis
for classification in accordance with 901.
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902 Deviations from the rule requirements will only be accepted when the national standard has been approved by the
flag state as stated in 901. Deviations will not be accepted for
the structural strength, machinery installations including steering appliances, and electrical systems and equipment covered
by the main class.
903 The flag state whose domestic requirements are being
accepted (as per 901) shall be indicated, by using lower-case
letter codes in accordance with ISO standard 3166, in parentheses after the service restriction notation (e.g. R2 (nor),
should the flag state be Norway or usa should the flag state be
U.S.A. etc.).
904 A memo for owners (MO), containing information about
the assumption for the service restriction notation, will be issued in addition to the class related information contained in
the "Appendix to the classification certificate".
B 1000 Additional class: NAUTICUS
1001 NAUTICUS is an additional class notation. The nota-

tion describes, inter alia, a standard for information and information availability based on access to the Society's product
model software technology.
1002 NAUTICUS will be assigned in combination with additional notations describing specific features relating to specific documentation standards. Applicable notations are
described in separate sections under Pt.3 and Pt.7.
1003 Vessels assigned NAUTICUS with additional notations will be given the notation NAUTICUS(notation 1, notation 2, etc.).
1004 Newbuildings may be ordered with NAUTICUS
(Newbuilding) notation, see Pt.3 Ch.1. Upon delivery from
the yard, the NAUTICUS(Newbuilding) notation is maintained and relevant parts of the newbuilding product model are
transferred to a ships in operation product model.
1005

NAUTICUS notations currently in use.

Table B36 NAUTICUS notations

Newbuilding enhanced documentation standard to achieve improved information availability for ship newbuildings, including FEM-modelling and extended
fatigue calculations, see Pt.3 Ch.1
Operation
enhanced exchange of information between the
owner and the Society in the operational phase, see
Pt.7 Ch.7

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Pt.1 Ch.1 Sec.3 Page 15

SECTION 3
CLASSIFICATION PROCEDURE
A. Assignment of Class
A 100

Guidance note:
For test equipment used for periodic maintenance and testing of
E0, see Pt.6 Ch.3.

Request for classification

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101 A request for classification of a ship is to be submitted

in writing by the client.
A 200

Requirements for workshops and yards

201 Builders unknown to the Society are to demonstrate

their capability to carry out fabrication of adequate quality in
accordance with the rules before construction is started.
202 Welding of important structures, machinery installations
and equipment is to be carried out by approved welders, with
approved welding consumables and at welding shops accepted
by the Society. Requirements for approval of welding shops,
welders, manufacturers of welding consumables, welding consumables and welding procedures are given in the rules (see
Pt.2 Ch.3).
203 During fabrication and construction work, the Society's
surveyors are to have safe access to the works at all reasonable
times, insofar as the work affects classification. The client is to
ensure, through contracts with the parties concerned or otherwise, that such access is possible, and that the Society is notified as to when and where the surveyor's attendance is needed.
204 The following general documentation from the builder
(workshop and yard) and from subcontractors (as specified in
301) is to be submitted when requested by the Society:
outline specification for the ship
list of subcontractors to the building yard
list of subcontractors to the manufacturer of products to be
delivered, if applicable.
A 300

Requirements for manufacturers

301 Manufacturers of materials, components and equipment

of categories not covered by 200 are to be considered for approval according to criteria established by the Society, as applicable.
302 Any required quality control of materials, components
and equipment, is to be traceable and documented in writing.
Further, quality control is to be carried out by qualified personnel at facilities and with equipment suitable for that control.
A 400

Requirements for suppliers of services

401 Suppliers providing services on behalf of the owner,

such as measurements, tests and maintenance of safety systems
and equipment, the result of which may form the basis for the
surveyor's decisions, are to be approved by the Society, according to criteria established by the Society.
Where surveyors use such services in making decisions affecting statutory certifications, the suppliers are subject to approval by the Society, where the Society is so authorised by the
relevant flag Administration. For such services the Society
may accept approvals done by the flag Administration, or duly
authorised organisations acting on behalf of the flag Administration.
A 500

Requirements for calibration of equipment

501 Measuring and test equipment used in services by manufacturers, builders, repairers or owners, the result of which
may form the basis for the surveyor's decisions, is to have a
calibration status or an appropriate accuracy to the surveyor's
satisfaction.

A 600 Plan approval

601 The builder or manufacturer shall submit the following
documentation, as specified in the applicable chapters of the
rules, and according to documentation lists supplied by the Society upon receipt of class request, before production commences:
a) Plans and specifications required for approval, in triplicate, including one copy for each sister ship, as applicable.
Moreover, the Society may specify alternative or additional requirements.
b) Corresponding technical descriptions, calculations and data, including material specifications.
Any documents submitted for re-approval are to be especially
marked to identify the revised parts.
The builder, with which the Society has the classification contract, is responsible for co-ordinating that plans and other documents are submitted, and for distributing any approval
comments that may have been given.
602 When a ship, which is not built under supervision of the
Society, is to be classified, the information required in 601 is,
in general, to be submitted for approval. The extent of documentation approval for a ship, which is classed, or which was
previously classed, with another recognised classification society, will be decided upon in each case.
603 Plans that have been found to comply with the rule requirements will be provided with a statement of approval.
Conditions and limitations of the approval may be stated on the
plans returned with the statement of approval, or in the accompanying letter of approval.
604 The approval may be revoked at any time if subsequent
information indicates that the design solution was contrary to
the rule requirements or intentions.
605 The English language shall be used in plans and specifications submitted for approval.
The possibility of using the local language shall be agreed
upon in each case.
606 When plans and documents are submitted as electronic
files, the format and transfer method shall be agreed upon in
each case.
A 700 Survey
701 When a ship is built under the supervision of the Society,
the Society will verify:
that the construction and scantlings comply with the rule
requirements and the approved plans, and that the required
materials are used
that the materials, components and systems have been certified in accordance with the rules
that the work is carried out in compliance with the applicable rules and with good engineering practices. IACS
"Shipbuilding and Repair Quality Standard - Part A" is regarded as an example of a standard regarding hull structures describing such good engineering practices.
that satisfactory tests are carried out to the extent and in the
manner prescribed by the rules.

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Supervision is to be carried out at the building yard and/or the

sub-suppliers at the discretion of the Society, which also decides the extent and method of control.
702 The verification method applied by the Society at the
building yard or at the manufacturers' will normally be based
on visual inspections and tests.
The Society may base its verification on audits of an accepted
Quality System implemented at the yard or at the manufacturer
in combination with an agreed manufacturing survey arrangement.
703 When a ship, which has not been built under the supervision of the Society, is to be classified, the Society will carry
out surveys to confirm:
that the design and scantlings comply with the approved
plans
that the material, components and systems are in accordance with the rules
that the workmanship is in compliance with the applicable
rules and with good engineering practice.
Functional tests are to be carried out as deemed necessary by
the Society.
704 For ships built under the supervision of another recognised society the requirements of 703 will normally be considered as complied with for the main class.
705 When an existing ship is to be classified it is in general
to undergo all periodical surveys pertaining to the age and type
of ship. The extent of surveys will be decided by the Society in
each separate case. Ships previously classed by a recognised
society will, as a minimum, be subject to the surveys specified
in IACS Procedural Requirements No. 1A.
A 800 Functional testing
801 A test programme is to be prepared by the builder to the
satisfaction of the surveyor. The programme is to specify systems and components to be tested, and the testing procedure.
The programme is to include sea trials of the ship with machinery and equipment installed.
802 The tests are to give evidence as to satisfactory operation
in accordance with the rules. When testing the control and
safety system, failure modes are to be simulated as realistically
as possible.
803 Unless otherwise agreed, the testing required by the
rules is to be carried out in the presence of a surveyor.
Data are to be recorded according to the test programs and as
considered necessary by the surveyor.
A 900 Certification of materials, components and systems
901 The scope of classification includes certification of materials, components and systems intended for the ship. The applicable chapters of the rules define the extent of the
certification that is needed for classification. The objective of
the certification is to ensure that materials, components and
systems used in ships to be classed by the Society conform to
the rules and other standards within the framework of the rules.
The certification is a conformity assessment normally including both design and production assessment.
The production assessment includes inspection and testing
during production and/or of the final product.
902 The design assessment of the materials, components and
systems shall either be on a case by case basis or follow the
procedure for type approval.
903 When the case by case procedure is used, documentation of the design shall be submitted for assessment for every
application as required in the applicable chapters of the rules.

A design assessment letter or design verification report shall be

issued by the Society when compliance with the requirements
for the design for the actual application is confirmed.
904 When the type approval procedure is used, documentation of the design and the results of type testing as required in
type approval programmes and the applicable chapters of the
rules, shall be submitted for assessment. A type approval certificate shall be issued by the Society when compliance with
the requirements for the design is confirmed. The type approval certificate has a validity of 2 or 4 years depending on type of
material, component and system.
905 The production assessment of materials, components
and systems shall either be on a case by case basis or on the
basis of an agreed Manufacturing Survey Arrangement
(MSA).
906 When the case by case procedure is used, the survey
and testing shall be performed on the basis of approved design
documentation for the actual application and as required in the
applicable chapters of the rules. Compliance with the approved
design documentation and the requirements shall be documented through certificates as required in the applicable chapters of the rules.
907 When the production assessment is based on an MSA,
the survey and testing shall be performed on the basis of approved design documentation and in accordance with requirements and procedures laid down in the MSA. Compliance with
the approved design documentation and the requirements shall
be documented through certificates as specified in the MSA or
as required in the applicable chapters of the rules.
908 Certification of materials, components and systems
shall be documented by the following types of documents:
1) Det Norske Veritas Product Certificate (NV):
A document signed by a surveyor of the Society stating:
conformity with rule requirements
that tests are carried out on the certified product itself
that tests are made on samples taken from the certified
product itself
that tests are performed in presence of the surveyor or
in accordance with special agreements.
2) Works Certificate (W):
A document signed by the manufacturer stating:
conformity with rule requirements
that tests are carried out on the certified product itself
that tests are made on samples taken from the certified
product itself
that tests are witnessed and signed by a qualified department of the manufacturers.
3) Test Report (TR):
A document signed by the manufacturer stating:
conformity with rule requirements
that tests are carried out on samples from the current
production.
The applicable chapters and sections of the rules will specify
which of the above mentioned documentation will be required.
Guidance note:
For guidance regarding spare parts for ships in operation, see Pt.7
Ch.1 Sec.3 C300.
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909 Where the rules require Works Certificate (W) or Test

Report (TR), the surveyor may at any time require tests to be
carried out in his presence and/or check elements of the quality
control in operation.

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Pt.1 Ch.1 Sec.3 Page 17

910 For identification and traceability, certified products are

to be stamped in accordance with the marking given in the
product certificate and as specified by the applicable chapters
of the rules.
911 For certain components and systems as defined in the
applicable chapters of the rules, the certification may be based
on defined internationally recognised standards and certification schemes that cover the overall quality, safety and environmental standard of the rules. Compliance with the
requirements of the standard shall be documented as required
by the standard.
912 To ensure an efficient, cost effective and correct certification process, a General Certification Agreement is normally
to be established with manufacturers delivering NV certified
products.
The General Certification Agreement may be part of a Manufacturing Survey Arrangement.
The General Certification Agreement is to include information
on the procedures for design and production assessment and on
transfer of information and experience between the Manufacturer and the Society.
A 1000 Manufacturing Survey Arrangement
1001 When the procedures and processes of a building yard's
or a manufacturer's quality system meet the quality, safety and
environmental standard of the rules, a Manufacturing Survey
Arrangement (MSA) may be established with the yard or the
manufacturer as an alternative to the verification and production assessment described in the applicable rule chapters.
1002 The agreed MSA is to be described in a document stating the requirements, scope, acceptance criteria, documentation and the roles of the Society and the yard or the
manufacturer in connection with the production assessment.
1003 When it is agreed through an MSA that the majority of
the required surveys and tests are being completed without the
presence of a surveyor, it is conditional upon the manufacturer
that he has in operation a quality system certified by an accredited certification body to ISO 9002, or equivalent.
1004 When establishing an MSA, an initial assessment of the
manufacturers ability to control product quality and to comply
with the scope, requirements and criteria laid down in the MSA
shall be performed.
The extent and frequency of periodical assessments of the
manufacturer shall be included in the MSA.
1005 An MSA is normally given a validity of 4 years. When
the MSA is based on a certified quality system, the MSA automatically becomes invalid if the quality system certification is
no longer valid.

1103 For certain products and systems as defined in applicable chapters of the rules, type approval is sufficient for certification of product quality, i.e. production assessment is not
required.
1104 For certain products and systems as defined in the applicable chapters of the rules, type approval is a mandatory
procedure for design assessment.
1105 For products and systems manufactured for stock, type
approval is to be the normal procedure for assessment of design.
1106 For type approved products, where the basis for approval are the rules of the Society, plans and technical descriptions of the product need not be submitted for approval for
each ship unless otherwise stated as a condition on the type approval certificate. In such cases only the arrangement or system plans, interface plans and those plans mentioned on the
type approval certificate are to be submitted for approval.
A 1200 Acceptance of control by National Authorities
1201 In cases where the Administration of a flag state reviews plans, carries out type approval and surveys the ship according to statutory regulations, DNV may accept
documentation from the flag Administration as proof of compliance with relevant class rules. Necessary documentation,
such as copies of approved plans, reports and other particulars
approved by the flag Administration are to be submitted.
A 1300 Certificate of interim class
1301 When the surveyor is of the opinion that the requirements corresponding to the class in question have been met, he
will document the completion of the building supervision by
issuing the certificate of interim class, which is valid until the
administration of the Society has confirmed the class and issued the classification certificate.
1302 At the discretion of the surveyor the building supervision may be considered to be completed with some minor
items unverified, provided Conditions of Class (see B800) are
issued to the effect that the remaining work, surveys or other
measures are to be completed within a specified time. At the
same time the surveyor will document the completion of the
newbuilding supervision by issuing the certificate of interim
class as indicated in 1301.
1303 In case of classification of an existing ship not built under the supervision of the Society, or classification of an existing ship previously classed by the Society, the surveyor will
issue the certificate of interim class when he is satisfied that the
applicable requirements have been met.
A 1400 Classification certificate

A 1100 Type approval

1101 Type approval is a procedure for design assessment.
Type approval can be applied to a:

1401 When the administration of the Society has examined

the surveyor's report and is satisfied that the requirements corresponding to the class in question have been met, the class
will be assigned and a classification certificate will be issued.

product
group of products
system.

Provided the requirements for maintenance of class will be

complied with, and unless the class has been withdrawn in
writing at an earlier stage, the classification certificate will be
valid for 5 years.

This procedure should normally be used for design assessment

of standard designs.
1102 The type approval procedure will normally consist of
the following elements:
design approval
type testing
issuance of type approval certificate.

1402 Declarations confirming compliance with the rules

may upon request be issued for propulsion machinery, main
boilers and specific additional class notations, provided the Society's main class has been assigned.
A 1500 Appendix to the classification certificate

The type approval procedure used by the Society is described

in Standard for Certification No. 1.2.

1501 An Appendix to the classification certificate will be

issued stating assumptions for the assignment of class and conditions regarding the use of the vessel which were established
or assumed at the time of assignment of class.

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A 1600 Entry in the Register of Vessels classed with

DNV
1601 When a ship has been assigned class, its main particulars and details of class will be entered in the Register. In addition to the class notations, an appropriate type descriptive note
may be entered in the Register, indicating the type of the ship
in greater detail than given in the class notations, and/or providing additional information on the ship's functions, design
and construction. This descriptive note is provided for information only and is not to be regarded as part of the ship's class
notations.
1602 For ships built under the supervision of the Society, the
class is entered with a statement of the year and month from
which the periodical surveys will be dated. For other ships a
notation is made of the year and month of completion of the
survey mentioned in 705.
1603 If the ship is not immediately commissioned upon
completion of the building supervision, the ship is subject to a
condition survey at the time when she enters service. Provided
the result of this survey is in all respects satisfactory, subsequent periodical surveys will date from the time of the condition survey.
A 1700 Decline of application for classification
1701 The Society reserves the right to decline an application
for classification or reclassification where the prior history or
condition of the ship or prior experience with the owner indicates this to be appropriate.

B. Retention of Class
B 100 General
101 In order to retain a ship's class with the Society, the owner is to:
submit complete and correct information on the ship and
its use, which would be of significance to the Society for
its assessment of the condition of the ship in relation to the
rules
submit complete and correct information on the ownership
and management of the ship, addresses and corresponding
administrative information pertinent to the relations with
the Society
submit correct information on the flag registry of the ship
subject the ship to prescribed periodical and renewal surveys, surveys of damage, repairs, conversions and alterations
subject the ship to unscheduled surveys when deemed necessary by the Society
rectify deficiencies and carry out Conditions of Class (see
800) specified by the Society in accordance with the rules
within the given time limit
pay all fees and expenses due to the Society. The owner
has, with his or her managers, charterers and operators, a
joint and several liability for any such fees and expenses.
If a request for work is made by any other than the owner,
that party will, in addition to the owner, be responsible for
the payment of the relevant fees.
102 It is the duty of the owner to request surveys from the
Society and to provide the assistance and safe access required
to the extent necessary for completion of the surveys in accordance with the rules.
103 The statutory certificates shall be issued by the Society
when so authorised by the Flag Administration itself.
The Society will not accept statutory certificates issued by a
third party.
The Society may accept the Safety Management Certificate is-

sued by an authorised IACS member and the Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificate issued by an organisation authorised by
the Flag Administration.
Guidance note:
In case of dually classed vessels, the Society may accept statutory certification by the 'dual' class society, upon agreement.
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B 200 Periodical and renewal surveys

201 A ship shall be subjected to surveys with the frequency
and extent given in Pt.7 Ch.2.
B 300 Survey of damage
301 If the hull, machinery installations or equipment covered
by classification sustain damage of such extent that it may be
presumed to lead to a Condition of Class (see 800), the Society
is to be informed without delay. The ship is to be surveyed in
the first port of call or according to further instructions from
the Society. The survey is to be of the extent which the surveyor considers necessary for ascertaining the amount of damage.
B 400 Repairs
401 When hull, machinery installations, systems or equipment is covered by classification and is to be subjected to repairs of any significance, then the work shall be carried out by
qualified personnel and in compliance with the applicable
rules, and with good engineering practices under the supervision of a surveyor.
Guidance note:
IACS "Shipbuilding and Repair Quality Standard - Part B" is regarded as an example of a standard concerning hull structures
that describe such good engineering practices. Guidelines for
hull repairs can be found in Classification Note No. 72.1.
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402 If repairs, (e.g. during voyage) stipulated in 401 are to be

carried out without the attendance of a surveyor, a repair plan
should be approved by the Society in advance.
Repairs shall only be carried out to an extent and by methods
which at any time do not seriously affect the main functions of
the ship and its watertight and structural integrity.
403 In cases where repairs are carried out without attendance
of a surveyor, documentation with respect to quality of materials used, and the qualification of personnel having carried out
the repairs, are to be available when the surveyor is called for
acceptance.
B 500 Procedures for maintenance
501 When referring to maintenance procedures in the rules,
these are normally meant to be procedures recommended by
the supplier of the relevant equipment or systems or to other
applicable recognised standards for the equipment or system in
question.
B 600 Conversions and alterations
601 If hull, machinery installations, equipment or systems
covered by classification are to be converted or altered, the
changes are to be documented and are to be approved by the
Society in advance.
602 Alterations to hull, machinery and equipment made possible by amendments of the applicable rules may be undertaken provided the general safety and performance standard
required for retention of class will be maintained.
603 The conversion or the alteration is to take place under
the surveyor's supervision in the same manner as for new constructions, see A701.
604 Ships which undergo conversions or alterations are to
satisfy the following:

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Pt.1 Ch.1 Sec.3 Page 19

All ships which undergo repairs, alterations, modifications and

outfitting related thereto shall continue to comply with at least
the requirements previously applicable to these ships. Such
ships if constructed before the date the present rule standard
came into force shall, as a rule, comply with the requirements
for ships constructed on or after that date to at least the same
extent as they did before undergoing such repairs, alterations,
modifications or outfitting. Repairs, alterations and modifications of a major character and outfitting related thereto shall
meet the requirements for ships constructed on or after the date
the present rule standard came into force in so far as the Society deems reasonable and practicable.
(SOLAS regulation II-1/1.3)
605 By modifications of a major character is to be understood major conversions defined as a conversion of an existing
ship:

defects or deficiencies of no concern to class

technical measurements or examinations required
suspended voluntary class notations
equipment in excess of class requirements taken out of
use.

i)

A written MO that is no longer valid will be deleted.

806 A time limit may be given if an action is required by the
owner under the MO. If the required action is not carried out
within the given time limit, the MO will be replaced by a CC.
807 Conditions and memoranda are given in writing to the
owners. Conditions may be made verbally, provided that the
representative of the owner(s) accepts the condition and the
surveyor ensures that the condition has been rectified before
the survey has been completed.
808 The Society may at any time alter a condition, memorandum or information if this is considered appropriate.

(MARPOL 73/78, Annex I, Regulation 1(8)(a))

606 Repairs, alterations and modifications are not to impair
the safety standard of the ship. See Classification Note No. 8.

B 900 Survey reports and survey status

901 The surveyor will prepare and submit to the owner reports on all surveys which have been carried out.
902 The Society will make available survey and certificate
status reports, to owners, via the DNV Internet website. It is the
owners responsibility to obtain this information from the
DNV Internet website. Survey and certificate status reports, on
paper, will be distributed by special request, only.

B 700 Change of ownership

701 A ship retains class when transferred to another owner,
with the exception of class notations and survey arrangements
based on certification of management of operations, which will
be deleted automatically. In the case of such transfer the previous owner is to give the Society a written notice immediately.
Until this has been done communication with binding effect
will be sent to the previous owner.

B 1000 Rules for newbuildings applicable for ships in

operation
1001 Previous and current chapters of rules for newbuildings, Pt.2 to Pt.6, are applicable to ships in operation as follows:
Ships for which the initial newbuilding survey has been carried
out by DNV or another recognised classification society

B 800 Conditions of Class and Memoranda

801 If it is found that the ship's hull, machinery and or equipment have sustained damage, become defective or deficient
relative to the applicable requirements, the Society will issue a
written statement in the form of a condition.
802 A condition of class (abbreviated CC) will be issued if
the condition is related to requirements set by the rules. A CC
is subject to specified rectification (e.g. repairs) or operation
(e.g. survey) and shall be carried out within a given time limit,
in order that the ship retain class. If the defect or deficiency is
of a nature that requires immediate rectification, then this will
be specifically communicated to the owner or his representative.
803 A condition on behalf of the administration (abbreviated
CA) will be issued if the condition is related to statutory surveys where DNV has been authorised.
804 If the Society deems it necessary to carry out examinations in order to ascertain whether damage defect or insufficiency has been sustained or is imminent, a condition (CC or
CA) will be issued.
805 A Memorandum to owner (abbreviated MO) is information related to the ship, its machinery and equipment or to rule
requirements. An MO will be issued in relation to items that
are considered to be of no immediate material significance regarding safety. An MO may supplement information given
otherwise, e.g. in the Appendix to the classification certificate
(see A1500) or the Register of vessels classed with DNV (see
A1601).
An MO may, for example, be used in the following cases:

Chapters in force at the date of the signing of the newbuilding class request for the ship in question, see also
Sec.1 B301.

which substantially alters the dimensions or carrying capacity of the ship; or

ii) which changes the type of the ship; or
iii) the intent of which in the opinion of the Society is substantially to prolong its life.

exemptions from rule requirements

limitations on the use of the ship or its equipment
deficient or lack of documentation

Other ships
Chapters in force at the date of entry into class of the ship
in question, see also Sec.1 B303.
In special cases, amendments to the current newbuilding requirements may be made mandatory to ships in operation. If
so, this will be especially stated.
Irrespective of these general regulations, requirements adopted
from the International Maritime Standards need not exceed
those in force at the time of building of the ship, including later
retroactive amendments.
1002 When applying the relevant chapters mentioned in
1001 to ships in operation, some reduction in the requirements
may be accepted for normal wear, tear and corrosion.
1003 For hull items, such reductions or corrosion allowances may be established at the time of the renewal survey, according to Classification Note No. 72.1.
1004
When components are renewed, such components
should in general be delivered with documentation as per valid
rules at the time of newbuilding. However, if present rules are
less stringent, they may replace the old rules. This applies to
both design approval and survey of such components.

C. Suspension and Withdrawal of Class

C 100 General
101 The Society may suspend or withdraw a ship's class in

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Pt.1 Ch.1 Sec.3 Page 20

cases where the assumptions as the basis for classification, or

the provisions for retention of class, have been violated.
102 The decision to suspend or withdraw a ship's main and,
if applicable, mandatory class notations is made by the administration of the Society. However, in cases of automatic suspension, see 201 and 202, no individual decision is made.
Suspension or withdrawal of class may take effect immediately or after a specified period of time.
103 If the owner's default only affects conditions related to
non-mandatory class notations, the suspension or withdrawal
may be limited to these class notations only. Such suspension
or withdrawal may be made by the surveyor in connection with
certificate endorsement.
104 When it is considered that an owners failure to comply
with the rule requirements is sufficiently serious or fraudulent
the suspension or withdrawal of class may, at the discretion of
the Society, be extended to include other ships controlled by
the same owner.
C 200 Suspension of class
201 If the renewal surveys for hull, machinery installations
and equipment related to main and mandatory class notations,
as defined in Sec.2 B, are not completed before the expiry date
of the classification certificate, and if no postponement has
been granted as given in Pt.7 Ch.1 Sec.2 B700, the class will
be automatically suspended with immediate effect (see also
302), unless the surveys are under completion.
202 If the annual or intermediate surveys are not completed
within 3 months from the anniversary date of the classification
certificate the class is automatically suspended with immediate
effect, unless the surveys are under completion.
203 The Society may further decide to suspend a ship' s class
if the ship is not submitted to the required periodical surveys
also when this is due to force majeure cases, e.g. a major casualty.
204 In addition to the conditions laid down in 201, 202 and
203, a ship's class or additional class notations may also be suspended with immediate effect by the administration of the Society in cases where repair of deficiencies are not carried out to
the surveyor's satisfaction or otherwise dealt with in an appropriate manner within the time limits given by the surveyor.
205 Where a suspension of class has come into effect the Society will:
notify the owner in writing
notify the proper authorities in the country where the ship
is registered
make an entry to this effect in the "Register of vessels
classed with DNV".
C 300 Withdrawal of class
301 The class will be withdrawn at the owner's request.
302 If the outstanding surveys specified in 201, 202 and 203
or required repairs as given in 204 are not carried out within a
specified time after the class suspension, the Society may decide to withdraw the ship's class.
303 When any ship proceeds to sea without having rectified

a condition of class which was required to be dealt with before

leaving port, the class will be withdrawn with immediate effect.
304 If the outstanding debt owed to the Society is not paid
within a fixed date, the Society may withdraw the ship's class
with one month's written notice. This also applies when the obligation to pay rests with a yard or with the ship's previous
owners. In special cases a shorter notice may be given.
305 If the owner makes a general assignment for the benefit
of his creditors or if any proceedings are commenced in court
or any order or judgement is given by any court for a liquidation, winding up of the owner, the Society may withdraw the
class with immediate effect.
306 Where a withdrawal of class has come into effect the Society will:
notify the owner in writing
notify the proper authorities in the country where the ship
is registered
make an entry to this effect in the "Register of vessels
classed with DNV".
C 400 Reclassification
401 If the outstanding surveys leading to class suspension as
given in 201, 202 and 203 or required repairs as given in 204
are carried out within a specified time, and the result of this
survey is such that no condition of class is given and furthermore that there is no overdue periodical surveys or conditions
of class at that time, the class will be reinstated and the existing
classification certificate retains its validity.
402 In all other cases than that given in 401, and if the circumstances leading to withdrawal of class no longer exist, a
ship's class may only be reinstated based upon a written request from the owner. The survey extent will in such instances
be dependent upon the ship's classification status at the time of
withdrawal.
403 When the surveyor is satisfied that the applicable requirements given in 402 have been met, he will issue a certificate of interim class which will remain valid until the
administration of the Society has confirmed the class and issued the classification certificate.
404 When the class is reinstated, the Society will confirm the
reinstatement in writing to the owners and to the Authorities in
the country where the ship is registered and make the information available to any third party upon request.

D. Appeals
D 100 Decisions taken by the Society
101 The client may request that a decision by the Society is
to be taken up for reconsideration by one or more surveyors
specially appointed by the Society. The expenses incurred are
to be paid by the party making the appeal, however, if the earlier decision is revoked, the expenses will be covered by the
Society.

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Pt.1 Ch.1 Sec.4 Page 21

SECTION 4
LEGAL PROVISIONS
A. Liability and Jurisdiction

officers, employees, agents and any other acting on behalf of

Det Norske Veritas.

A 100 Limited liability

101 If any person suffers loss or damage which is proved to
have been caused by any negligent act or omission of Det Norske Veritas, then Det Norske Veritas shall pay compensation to
such person for his proved direct loss or damage. However, the
compensation shall not exceed an amount equal to ten times
the fee charged for the service in question, provided that the
maximum compensation shall never exceed USD 2 million.
In this provision "Det Norske Veritas" shall mean the Foundation Det Norske Veritas as well as all its subsidiaries, directors,

A 200

Governing law

201 These Rules, the classification of the ship or unit and the
relationship between the Society and other parties shall be governed by Norwegian law.
A 300

Venue

301 Any dispute arising in relation to or as a consequence of

these Rules shall only be resolved by the courts of Norway, the
Municipal Court of Oslo being the proper venue.

DET NORSKE VERITAS