Bureau Veritas meets challenge of supersized ships

Supersized ships are springing up everywhere and that is creating a new set of challenges and opportunities for the maritime industry, including classification societies such as Bureau Veritas.

As a ship classification society, Bureau Veritas is adapting its marine expertise to the needs of larger vessels and we have already published new guidelines for ultra large container ships. Our technical know-how, including sophisticated IT tools like VeriSTAR can be readily applied to the new super ships. For example, Bureau Veritas has developed a comprehensive method for sloshing assessment (sloshing is the movement of liquid cargo on a ship). Sloshing studies are specific for each particular project and many factors are considered such as the type, size and capacity of the vessel.

Specific risks of large ships
Large ships carry more cargo and passengers and therefore offer economies of scale which is great for business, however these supersize structures pose risks as well. Bureau Veritas regional chief executive of Marine for Europe and North America, Jean-François Segretain says: The reduced flexibility of large ships brings disadvantages, such as insufficient port facilities to accommodate these vessels, and greater fallout from any accidents. Dynamic phenomena that are not particularly dangerous for average size vessels are more significant for ultra-large ships. But, the main issue is how the ship's structure reacts to vibration and associated damage from whipping and springing. The effects of whipping and springing increase for vessels over a quarter of a mile in length, or over 13,000 teu (twenty-foot equivalent units).

Extra large ships are far from dominating the market but vessel enlargement is a growing trend affecting box ships, passenger cruise ships, car carriers and containerships. Take for instance, France's leading cruise liner company CMA CGM, which has a series of mega-boxships including the CMA CGM Andromeda. It has a massive 11,400 teu capacity and an impressive maximum speed of 24 knots. If this is the shape of things to come, Bureau Veritas is ready with the technology and knowhow to ensure the safety of such mega ships.

Bureau Veritas