Bulk carriers

Bulk carriers are being built ever-larger, making structural integrity, environmental compliance and efficiency top priorities for ship owners and operators.

Structural integrity experts, available worldwide

Bulk carriers are among the most put-upon vessels on the seas. With their increased size and loading capability, structural integrity is key to longevity for safe bulkers, including Newcastlemax and Valemax sized vessels. Carrying bulk cargo can pose significant risks to a vessel, due to cargo shifting, corrosive properties or liquefaction, and/or poor loading procedures. Bulk carrier owners are also seeking eco-friendly designs that improve energy efficiency and fuel performance while complying with regulations.

How we support you

Bureau Veritas is a leading classification society for bulk carriers. Our longstanding experience and worldwide presence enable us to support your compliance with international safety standards for both new buildings and bulk carriers in-service.

Support for safe bulkers where you need it

Bureau Veritas maintains an extensive network of engineers, surveyors, and classification experts around the world, available wherever your vessel requires. Our riding surveys bring a surveyor onboard during a voyage, enabling you to cut time spent in port.

SOFTWARE TO COMPLY WITH CSR-H

Bureau Veritas’ top-rated software addresses structural issues from a vessel’s first design to its final voyage. Our Veristar Hull technology builds a 3D finite element model of your vessel, and our MARS software assesses the scantlings and critical members along the length of a ship, detecting fatigue at the earliest possible stage.

Classification to comply with CSR-H: NR606 Common Structural Rules for Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers

Double hull bulk carrier expertise

Many owners today choose double hull bulk carrier designs that offer improved cargo containment safety, increased stability and the reduction of damage from grabs. Transverse frames and longitudinal stiffeners running along the ship’s length strengthen the space between the outer and inner skin, while stringers divide the double hull space into multiple wing tanks. Bureau Veritas’ expertise in design of ship hull structures, including double hull bulk carrier designs, ensures ship stability and bulk carrier safety.

Bulk Carriers - Eco Bulker & Super Eco bulker Expertise

Expertise in eco- and super eco bulkers

Eco-bulk carriers are growing in popularity as owners seek to minimize fuel consumption. Our state-of-the-art proprietary tools enable us to evaluate and optimize your vessel’s hull, appendages, and energy saving devices, along with the vessel’s energy model.

Addressing the Risk of liquefaction - safe Bulkers

ADDRESSING LIQUEFACTION RISK

Bureau Veritas has developed specific documentation and tools to comply with IMSBC guidelines regarding bulk cargo liquefaction. These standards and operational procedures help prevent cargo loss and structural damage due to chemical hazards. We can assess and certify your vessel, ensuring your cargo arrives safely.

Read our technical Guide: Reducing the risk of liquefaction

MONITORING YOUR FUEL QUALITY

Backed by Bureau Veritas’ global network of oil and petrochemicals testing laboratories, Verifuel’s comprehensive monitoring program tests residual and distillate fuel quality. We can then issue expert opinions on fuel management, ensuring your vessel’s compliance with current and future regulations including IMO 2020 and improving fuel efficiency.

Access Verifuel Portal

LEADER IN SALVAGE

In case of incident, Bureau Veritas’ subsidiary TMC Marine has considerable experience with marine salvage and wreck removal operations. Our tracking systems and fast intervention help us salvage vessels quickly and cleanly, mitigating environmental damage and cargo loss.

Visit TMC Marine Website

Cyber Security - Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore

ADDRESSING CYBER SECURITY

Real-time, connected equipment and intelligent data are emerging as shipping’s most valuable assets. At the same time, we’ve also seen how digitalization brings new challenges. Cyber-attacks against a number of players have revealed that the security solutions currently in place aren’t necessarily a match for sophisticated hackers. As a consequence, a ‘business as usual’ approach is no longer affordable and cyber security should be considered integral to safety management in shipping and offshore operations.

At Bureau Veritas we have built on our expertise across the maritime industry, safety and security of ship operations and ship design, industrial control systems, smart ships, and networks and telecommunications to provide best in class cyber security Services. How do we do it?

Detailed notations and practical guidelines for ships in service and new buildings
Global network of leading cybersecurity experts to secure your design and run efficient testing
Rich experience in regulation compliance (IMO, Flag administration, IACS, OCIMF, BIMCO, ICS…)