DNV Research has been a leader in the development of rational, risk-based methods for innovative ship design and approval. It is now active in the EU project SAFEDOR, on risk-based design, operation and regulation.

On cruiseships the atriumes are the main attractions. These would not be possible without risk-based design.

Ongoing development goes further than using risk assessment (Formal Safety Assessment) as a rational basis for developing rules and regulations; DNV Research has been involved in most international projects for decision-making at IMO – the FSA activities on bulk carriers, helicopter landing, navigation of large passenger ships, ECDIS.

SAFEDOR is a 20m Euro project initiated by DNV, GL, cruise operator Carnival, the Danish Maritime Administration, Navantia, SAM, and SSRC, and has more than 50 partners from European research institutions, shipowners, yards, equipment manufacturers and national administrations. Some 15% of the budget is allotted to DNV work.

One of the work packages is aimed at developing risk or probabilistic models of particular relevance to ship design. The subprojects relate to fast and accurate flooding prediction in case of damage, probabilistic assessment of structural strength (Structural Reliability Analysis models), probabilistic intact stability, prediction of collision and grounding, and fire and explosion.

This work links to and extends ongoing trends in design and regulatory development. For example, DNV has recently completed the HARDER project, which provided the basis for the new Probabilistic Damage Stability Regulations at IMO; the next step is to include the time aspect (flooding prediction), and intact stability. Gradually, tools will be introduced that can be used directly in design and explicitly minimise risks.

Another work package addresses regulatory aspects, involving such issues as risk evaluation criteria, approval process of risk-based designs, requirements on documentation and qualification of personnel. As a basis for the risk aspects, FSA studies are being carried out for ro-pax and cruise vessels, LNG carriers and container ships.

SAFEDOR Partners will also develop specific innovative designs of the four ship types mentioned. Nine competing designs have received funding; a selection procedure will be applied to select the most promising. The idea is that these designs, which all violate some class or statutory requirements, will use first-principle, risk-based design methods and specified risk acceptance criteria as the basis for approval.

See also www.safedor.org

Date: 2006-06-08