To improve container shipping safety and efficiency, ClassNK has issued updated guidelines that integrate advanced weather forecasting, ship motion expertise, and digital twin technologies. These guidelines aim to reduce cargo collapse risks, optimize container stowage, and establish common safety standards for anti-rolling devices.
Guidelines for Weather-Based Cargo Safety
The new “Guidelines for the Safety of Maritime Cargo Based on Weather Forecasts” set out technical standards for evaluating weather forecast uncertainties and their impact on cargo safety. Drawing on AIS records and over one million cases of past metocean data, these guidelines introduce methods for load correction factors and safety assessments for container carriers. As a result, ship operators can now perform safer and more optimized stowage operations during short-term voyages.
Guidelines for Anti-Rolling Devices
With the increasing installation of anti-rolling tanks on merchant ships, the “Guidelines for Anti-Rolling Devices” provide technical and inspection requirements for their safe use. By building on expertise from parametric roll countermeasure research, the guidelines offer methods for assessing roll-reduction effects. This ensures container stowage operations account for roll mitigation, reducing risks of cargo collapse and improving onboard safety and comfort.
Revised Guidelines for Container Stowage
The “Guidelines for Container Stowage and Securing Arrangements (Edition 3.3)” update the 2023 version to include new requirements for weather forecasts and anti-rolling devices. These revisions further balance safety and economic efficiency, adapting stowage practices to evolving ship sizes, seasonal conditions, and advanced lashing technologies.
By addressing weather-based risks, setting safety standards for anti-rolling devices, and refining container stowage practices, ClassNK’s latest guidelines mark a significant step toward safer and more efficient maritime cargo transport. The integration of digital tools, big data analysis, and technical standards ensures that container shipping continues to evolve in line with safety and sustainability demands.
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Source: ClassNK
