New DNV Fleet-In-Service rules available from 14 June 2025

The updated DNV Rules for ships in operation came into force on 1 January 2025 and are available in the My Services portal via Veracity starting 14 June 2025. This news summarizes the key changes to the class notation structure and retention schemes, along with their impact on vessels’ certificates.

Relevant for ship owners and managers.

Key changes to the new DNV Fleet-in-Service Rules:

(1) Changes to retention schemes

  • Planned maintenance system (PMS): Previously, many different PMS schemes were shown (MPMS.A, MCBM.A, DPMS.A, etc.), and now these are all combined under PMS.A.
  • Gas-fuelled and low-flashpoint fuel (LFL) powered vessels: The survey requirements for gas-fuelled and LFL-powered vessels are no longer included in the main class survey. Separate survey schemes are shown under “Vessel status”.
  • Unmanned machinery spaces (E0 or AUT): Some of the survey requirements for unmanned machinery spaces have been shifted to “main class”. Consequently, the complete E0.C survey has been deleted and the annual survey E0.A has been reduced in scope.
  • Ballast Water Management (BWM) and Special Purpose Ship (SPS) class schemes: These schemes have been deleted from “Vessel status”, as there are similar statutory requirements.

Note that the technical requirements remain unchanged and that the revised class rules will not result in any financial impact.

(2) Changes to class notations

  • Presentation of class notations in the My Services portal: The class notations are divided into categories (e.g. main class, vessel type, design, in-operation). The hover-over function explains the notation.
  • New class notations: For ships that already comply with a scheme such as the planned maintenance system, data-driven verification or extended dry docking, the class notation PMS, DDV and/or EDD is assigned as an in-operation notation in the portal and on the class certificate.
  • Split of class notations: Notations that consist of a constructional and an operational part are now divided and displayed under “design” and “in-operation” respectively (e.g. notation about cyber security shows CYBER SECURE as a design and cyber security management system [CSMS] as an in-operation notation).

(3) Changes to the class certificates and the corresponding appendix to the class certificate

  • Presentation of class notations: The notations are divided into the same categories as in the My Services portal. New notations (refer to 2b and 2c above) are included.
  • The shipowner and ship manager are stated on the new class certificate.
  • The class appendix will be re-issued focusing on essential content. Duplications found in other approved documents have been removed.

Re-issuance of class certificates, including appendices

DNV will re-issue class certificates, including appendices, for 
all vessels within the next twelve months. This process is free 
of charge.

Customers will receive a notification email one week prior to 
re-issuance of the certificates for their fleet.

Please note that all previously issued class certificates 
remain valid. Here you can find a “to-whom-it-may-concern” 
letter for download. It may be shared with stakeholders as 
needed

In-operation class notations

To obtain and maintain in-operation class notations, the following requirements must be observed:

  • During new building delivery, if the contract is according to:
    • Old rules: in-operation notations corresponding to ordered design notations are assigned at delivery.
    • New rules: documentation shall be submitted and initial surveys carried out before in-operation notations are assigned. Additional time to implement processes on board might be required for some notations according to our rules.
  • For vessels in service, if an in-operation notation is requested, the required approval and survey scope will depend on whether the corresponding design notation has already been assigned.
  • In the event of a change in vessel management, in-operation class notations will be cancelled unless appropriate actions are taken. For more guidance, please contact date@dnv.com.

Recommendations

This news serves an as overview of the changes resulting from the new rules. For detailed information, please refer to “DNV Rules and Standards” or contact DNV via date@dnv.com.

The re-issuance of class certificate, including appendices, will be proactively handled by DNV. No action is required from our customers.

Contact

  • For customers:
    DATE - Direct Access to Technical Experts via My Services on Veracity.
  • Otherwise:
    Use our office locator to find the nearest DNV office.