Recent years have seen the emergence of novel, innovative, specialised and knowledge-intensive vessels. Recognising this new driving force DNV now offers its customers new advisory services for developing and implementing new ship structure technology; modern risk-based methods are ideally suited for supporting this process.
The aim of the service is to provide assistance to ship owners, operators, yards and manufacturers for their development projects. Innovative ship structures and designs falling outside the normal scope of classification are sometimes difficult or even impossible to get through a normal approval process based on prescriptive ship rules. Risk-based methods provide a consistent and systematic framework for design and approval of novel ship structure technology. In this way innovative designs can be quickly approved and confidently taken into use.
The services are available for the maritime, naval and offshore industries.
Modern risk-based methods are ideally suited for supporting development and implementation of novel ship structure technology, ensuring thereby that:
- All key safety issues and other relevant aspects are covered
- Resources are not spent on unrealistic ideas
- The chance of success with daring new ideas is maximised
- Sound and cost-effective risk reducing measures are implemented
- Less daring technology can be taken into use as quickly and effortlessly as possible.
When developing an idea into a viable new technology, it is essential to ensure that challenges are identified and properly addressed at an early stage. Furthermore, the opportunities offered by the new idea must be explored systematically. The direction of the development must constantly be adjusted by finding creative solutions to overcome challenges and maximise benefits. The methodology includes the following features:
- Tailored and flexible process in line with the project needs and evolution
- Continuous dialogue with DNV classification engineers
- Strong involvement of DNV world-leading expertise in risk assessment, ship structures, materials, fire safety etc.
- Issuance by DNV statements covering feasibility and fitness for service
- Series of meetings/workshops involving all parties involved, including DNV classification engineers, DNV experts and relevant marine authorities, if needed.
- Very generic methods that are in principle applicable to any system, component, structure or design.
DNV Recommended Practice for risk-based and novel design are planned to be released in 2008.
The process includes the following milestones:
- Design review meeting
- Definition of approval basis
- Hazard identification
- Approval in Principal. Statement of feasibility issued by DNV affirming that the new technology is considered conceptually feasible and suited for further development and approval
- Risk and cost benefit assessment
- Concept improvements
- Selection of approval methods
- Analysis and testing
- Reliability assessment
Approval. Statement of fitness issued by DNV affirming that the new technology is considered fit for service.