RS introduces new distinguishing marks

New requirements implemented into the Rules for the Classification and Construction of Sea-going Ships have entered into force on September 1, 2023. The circular letters are available in the section RS Publications on the official RS website.

The prospect of new designs emerging for container ships and ships carrying containers has necessitated the introduction of requirements to increase these vessels’ fire protection and to assign marks to ships equipped with additional supplies for extinguishing fires in way of cargo holds and container stowage deck

• ACFP(P) – the ship is fitted with portable equipment and additional fire-fighting outfit intended for firefighting in way of cargo holds and container stowage decks;
• ACFP(S) – the ship is fitted with additional equipment, fire-fighting outfit and systems which constitute an extensive set of fire-fighting means in way of cargo holds and container stowage decks;
• ACFP(S,F) – the ship, alongside being fitted with additional equipment, fire-fighting outfit and systems which constitute an extensive set of the fire-fighting means in way of cargo holds and container stowage decks, is designed considering possible flooding of a cargo hold in case of fire.

RS implemented requirements for new marks assigned to ships of a gross tonnage of 500 or more that are designed for the transportation of refrigerated containers:

• RC-C – containers are refrigerated using the secondary refrigerant cooled by a shipboard refrigerating plant;
• RC-A – containers are refrigerated with air used as the secondary refrigerant cooled by a shipboard refrigerating plant, by adjusting atmosphere parameters (temperature and humidity) inside containers;
• RC-IA – containers are refrigerated with air used as the secondary refrigerant cooled by a shipboard refrigerating plant, by adjusting, in addition to atmosphere parameters (temperature and humidity), also atmosphere composition inside containers by means of inerting;
• RC-E – containers are fitted with their own refrigerating plant fed from the shipboard electrical power plant.

RS has also developed requirements for the new HNLS mark for supply vessels carrying hazardous and noxious liquid substances in bulk (products listed in Chapters 17 and 18 of the IBC Code and in the MEPC.2/ series circular; oil/water-based drilling fluids containing mixtures of such products; liquid carbon dioxide and liquid nitrogen, etc.). The requirements are based on the IMO Resolution A.1122(30), SOLAS 74 Chapter II-2, IBC Code, IGC Code, MARPOL 73/78.

Among newly introduced features are the requirements for assigning new marks to sea-going ships carrying special equipment for well-production stimulation at oil and gas fields, WSV1, and ships specially prepared for the installation of such equipment, WSV2. The machinery is used to recover residual oil reserves which average 55 - 75% of the original geologic reserves in the subsurface and enables to increase the fields’ yield. WSV1 and WSV2 support vessels also transport substances used for well-production stimulation (acids, liquid nitrogen, gel-like fluids, proppants, etc.).

For a complete list of the new RS requirements, see Circular Letters No. 311-05-1975c and No. 311-05-1976c.

Additional information:

Founded in 1913, Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS) is a world-renowned classification society that operates within all spheres of the maritime industry. The organization’s main objectives are to enhance the safety standards of human life at sea, ensure the safe navigation of ships and the secure transportation of cargoes by sea and inland waterways, as well as to develop standards for environmental protection.

RS reviews technical documentation, surveys ships under construction and in service, issues documents and certificates for vessels, offshore facilities, ship machinery, equipment and devices; conducts measurements of ships and floating facilities; carries out surveys to ensure compliance with international conventions; certifies industrial products and manufacturers, quality management systems, sustainability management and occupational health and safety management systems in compliance with ISO standards. RS surveys general cargo containers, thermal containers, tank containers, platform containers, offshore containers, etc.