RINA Brings New Rules for Offshore Units

GENOA-based classification society RINA has published a new set of rules covering offshore units including FPSOs, FSRUs and MODUs. The new rules are based on experience in helping develop the world’s first offshore LNG terminals, both fixed and floating. The Rules for the Classification of Floating Offshore Units at Fixed Locations and Mobile Offshore Drilling Units came into force on March 15, 2010 and are supported by a Guide for Risk Analyses and a Guide for Technology Qualification Processes. “The key factors in these new rules are a thorough revision of our existing rules based on our unique experience with offshore LNG, and the introduction of an over-arching safety philosophy approach, the compliance with which operators and designers have to demonstrate through the use of risk analysis,” explains Paolo Salza, head of RINA’s Marine Division Technical Department. “While existing rules cope well with the current series of projects, which essentially marry together existing technologies, we need a new framework which will allow for the advance technologies which will be deployed in future projects.” To help operators, designers and builders use the new risk analysis approach, RINA has published appropriate risk analysis guidelines which describe the most typical approaches and techniques used in the offshore field. “The use of new and advanced technologies, for example in the regasification process, often requires these technologies to be certified on the basis of ad-hoc qualification procedures, because a well established set of safety criteria are not available,” explains Salza. “We have codified this practice into our Guide for Technology Qualification Process to help new projects to use advanced technology in a safe way.” The new rules are subdivided into the following parts: * Part A: Classification and Surveys, * Part B: Hull and Stability, * Part C: Machinery, Systems and Fire Protection, * Part D: Materials and Welding, * Part E: Service Notations, * Part F: Additional Class Notations. A copy of the rules is available in the members’ area at www.rina.org RINA has taken a lead in the developing market for floating LNG terminals. It has been chosen to class the first offshore Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU), OLT Livorno, and is providing studies and support for a number of further offshore LNG projects, including the newbuilding which is likely to be the world’s second offshore LNG FSRU. RINA recently helped bring the Adriatic LNG terminal on stream, and it has five more live projects for floating and onshore LNG terminals around Italy. •RINA is one of the oldest classification societies and certification companies in the world. Established in Genoa in 1861 to serve the marine industry, today it spans the globe as a multinational and multi-faceted company, sharing its knowledge and experience through a wide range of services which help industries and the community to improve their businesses and quality of life. RINA’s services cover the environment, energy, transportation, logistics, safety, quality and social responsibility

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Source:Rina,April 13,2010;