Bureau Veritas has published a new rule (NR645) for the classification of Floating Storage and Regasification Units (FSRUs).
The new rules set out technical requirements to address the technical and operational issues of FSRUs. These requirements span demand for units that may op[ds_preview]erate as a floating terminal for one or more decades to FSRUs that may be required for much shorter periods and whose operators may want the option of trading as an LNG carrier Bureau Veritas stated.
Two class notations
The rules address this range of needs while applying a unified approach to safety and design challenges and providing clarity in terms of classification requirements by offering two distinct class notations:
Liquefied Gas Carrier – FSRU notation
Based on rules for the classification of LNG carriers this enables gas trading in addition to floating storage and regasification terminal operations. The notation provides the possibility for exemptions from the traditional class survey regime – such as five year dry-docking survey requirements – when the vessel is in use as an FSRU.
FSRU notation
For units dedicated to pure gas storage and regasification terminal operations and not intending to trade. This notation provides full optimization for site conditions and a class survey regime as applicable to permanent units with continuous operation requirements. No dry-docking would be required and some exemptions from IGC Code requirements compared to typical LNG carriers are allowed. For example, no bottom damage stability requirements would be necessary having addressed specific operational circumstances.
A few month ago Bureau Veritas has adopted new rules for diving systems.
