The ability to handle standardised designs imposed by the yards and individual requirements from owners, charterers, operators and authorities, is a balancing act in the contract phase of newbuilding.

Painting
Tar-epoxy has been the traditional painting in ballast tanks for years. Shipowners are now changing to light colours, which simplifies corrosion discovery. The results so far prove the new paint is as good as the old one according to Christensen. Before making use of the new paint, the hull must be surface treated and coated twice. Many of the yards still prefer the old tar-epoxy coating requiring less surface treatment and one coating only.

Coming ban on TBT
Dampskibsselskabet NORDEN A/S has already tested paint without TBT (Tributyltin) with good results. The paint has to be replaced after 2 1/2 years and it will be more expensive than traditional paints. As long as the restriction will be global and does not increase competition in the industry, we accept it, says Christensen. The new ban is expected to be concluded by IMO October 2001.

Design
The Danish authorities require emergency exits from workshop and control rooms, even for vessels flagging in from other flags. IMO requires emergency exits only from the engine room. These requirements are not practised at most yards and must be included in the design agreement. Another important item is restrooms for all cabins, which is required by many owners today. Some yards have included it in their standards, while others have not.

Simplifying design
In several cases we have experienced too many pipes and ventilation systems in the standardised designs, says Christensen. We meet high resistance from the yards when we indicate this, as they are accustomed to the existing system. It is worth while evaluating standards to consider their value. There are a lot of systems that easily can be simplified, but it requires courage to point them out.