2020 ushers in new regulations and guidelines

2020 is kicking off with a new slate of regulations coming into force, as well as updates for crucial requirements that will affect ship owners, charterers, shipyards and classification societies. 

The rising tide of sustainable shipping

The major regulation coming into force on January 1, 2020 is IMO’s Global Sulphur Cap which limits the amount of sulfur permitted in fuel oil to 0.50% m/m and applies to all ships. IMO 2020 is a significant step towards limiting the shipping industry’s environmental footprint and achieving IMO’s emissions reductions targets for 2030 and 2050.

January 2020 will also see the second phase of the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI), which will affect all types of vessels. New builds will be required to meet new fuel consumption standards, as well as trim optimization and hydrodynamics specifications. To comply with regulations, all vessels must carry the correct documentation developed by shipyards and approved by class societies.

New developments in smart ships

This year is bringing two significant updates of IACS requirements. The first is Planned Maintenance Schemes (PMS) rev 1, in force since July 2019, with rev 2 coming in July 2020. The second is URZ 27, coming into force in January 2020.

PMS enables chief engineers to manage PMS themselves, allowing surveyors to verify onboard implementation directly, rather than conducting long or continuous machinery surveys. URZ27 recommends using condition monitoring equipment and systems to conduct condition-based maintenance (CBM) for onboard machinery. Bureau Veritas has reviewed and verified these methodologies, and integrated their requirements into existing Rules.

Further down the line in 2020, Bureau Veritas is looking to develop new notations to support our smart ships and Digital Classification program. Most notably, we will be publishing a digital twin notation for 3D Classification in July 2020. 

Safety takes the spotlight

January 1, 2020 brought further revisions of SOLAS (International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea), a critical set of requirements that impacts all shipowners and shipyards.

To further support ship safety, Bureau Veritas is also advancing the concept of equivalent design waves in its rules for Structural Assessment of Steel Ships. In September 2019, Bureau Veritas published NR646, which will see further revisions and development throughout 2020. A final version of these Rules will be consolidated in 2021.

Later this year will also publish some long-awaited updates to our Rules for Yachts and ships under 65m, which are classed to specific regulations based on size and construction type.