DNV’s goal is to be the world’s leading class society in terms of quality and technology. Our services transform competence and knowledge into information that can be used by owners and operators to meet the challenges facing the industry, while maintaining the quality that is the essential pre-requisite for being in business.
DNV’s strong focus on quality continues to benefit our customers. An illustration of how DNV assists business performance is that, in 2006, the number of class- related port state detentions involving DNV-classed vessels was lower than ever before. This is one of the core elements in DNV Maritime’s quality index, and represents an important means of measuring results.
The past few years have seen major rule changes aimed at raising the safety level of tankers and bulk carriers. DNV has been a major contributor to both complete sets of rules and unified requirements common to all class societies in the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS). As a result of four years of rule development work, a common set of structural rules for both bulk carriers and tankers was published in April 2006. This will improve safety at sea in line with DNV’s purpose, “To safeguard life, property and the environment”.
The Diamond bulk carrier concept is a good example of how safety and operational efficiency can be used to spearhead a successful development. The Diamond’s origins date back to 2002 when a consortium representing different maritime disciplines pooled their collective knowledge to develop a Handy-max bulk carrier.
The resulting design has received very positive feedback from owners, charterers and port operators. In excess of 75 vessels were at year-end on order, with many optional variations on the initial design, reflecting different market needs.
Seafarer training
A focus on quality and safety at sea also means a focus on the human elements on board a ship. A key area for DNV during 2006 has been to help improving the seafarer’s skills. These services provided by DNV SeaSkill, assist the maritime industry in ensuring that its staff has the necessary competence to perform their tasks according to set standards of performance.
Complementing the SeaSkill services, in 2006 DNV launched a new service to help shipowners reduce the high level of accidents on board ships caused by human error. Studies show that 80–90 per cent of accidents are caused directly by human error and that 60 per cent of these are related to poor situational awareness. As a consequence, DNV has developed a risk-based service that takes a comprehensive approach to reducing accidents. By assisting companies in analysing and changing the safety culture throughout their organisations, a huge potential for cost savings and for building reputation as a competitive advantage is explored.
Environment and innovation
April 2006 saw the delivery of the world’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas. It is not only the public attractions on board the vessel that are spectacular; all the safety and environmental aspects are based on the latest knowledge and the best available technology. As an example, the vessel has DNV’s class notations ‘Clean’ and ‘Clean design’ to support environmentally friendly shipping.
Noise and vibration are areas where DNV has recognised competence. This specialised service was initially introduced to increase the comfort of cruise passengers, but later on the knowledge has been used to improve the working environment and avoid fatigue for crews on board offshore support vessels operating in harsh environments.
Nearly 200 offshore support vessels were contracted to DNV during 2006. These vessels include a number of innovative solutions that DNV has helped develop and introduce to the market. Examples include the Ulstein X-bow, safe anchor handling systems, and diesel electric propulsion systems. Also, about 50 per cent of the vessels ordered will have ‘clean design’.
New emission regulations are starting to transform the way the industry operates. There is a drive towards low sulphur alternatives and a strong focus on emissions of CO2, NOx, VOC and particulate matter. DNV Petroleum Services not only certifies fuel quality, but also assists ship operators to seek innovative ways of complying with the new regulations and achieve optimum fuel efficiency.
By introducing its Energy Management Service in 2006, DNV proved that shipowners can reduce their fuel consumption by 10 per cent while also reducing emissions to air. A 10 per cent reduction in the NOx emissions of one single VLCC will reduce the ship’s NOx emissions by 400 tonnes a year – the same amount as that emitted by 10 000 cars.
In December 2006, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) adopted a new performance standard for protective coatings in water ballast tanks. The objective of this standard is both to ensure the durability of the ship and to protect the environment. DNV mandated the new coating requirement with immediate effect for tankers and bulk carriers, rather than waiting for the formal entry of this IMO requirement in July 2008.
DNV believes that the environmental focus in the shipping industry will be even stronger in the years to come. Cargo shipped by sea is environmentally friendly compared to all other forms of transportation, but improvements can still be made. DNV aims to play an active role, together with its customers, in creating new solutions and new environmental improvements.
Recycling
In common with other industries, shipping has adopted a life-cycle philosophy. At the very end of its lifetime, a ship has to be prepared for recycling – through a safe and environmentally sound demolition process. Following developments within the IMO towards a new ship recycling convention, DNV has seen an increased demand for this type of expertise and services. In 2006, DNV delivered its highest volume of hazardous material inventory and related services for ships under construction, ships in operation and ships destined for recycling.
Although the international legal framework for ship recycling is still not fully developed and operative, shipowners are facing increasingly strict requirements regarding the documentation of the hazardous material situation on board their vessels. These requirements are intended not only to ensure safer ship recycling, but also to safeguard the health and safety of the crew onboard and those engaged in the actual ship recycling.
Outlook
We at DNV are closely following the emerging trends in the shipping industry and are optimistic about the future. Managing the increase in maritime regulations continues to be a challenge, but there are benefits. New regulations have improved performance standards and raised the overall quality and safety of vessels.
As one of the leading classification societies, DNV aims to be able to adequately enforce standards in a way that builds confidence for the whole industry. At the same time, we recognise that conflicts of interest exist. We must balance our role as partner to our customers with our obligation to enforce regulations.
It’s a demanding relationship, but we at DNV feel we are recognised as being good at providing services without compromising regulations. We will continue to work hard to keep the right balance.
