Ways to Conserve Energy on Board - DNV

efficiency container s<strong>to</strong>wage
Route-Specific
Box Loading
The classification society Germanischer Lloyd will soon
offer containership opera<strong>to</strong>rs more flexibility regarding
on-deck container s<strong>to</strong>wage and lashing without compromising
the required safety levels. Following in-depth studies
of real-life sailing conditions in various ocean regions, GL
is taking a new approach <strong>to</strong> loading rules <strong>to</strong> help container
lines accelerate cargo operations in ports and gain competitive
edge through enhanced on-board s<strong>to</strong>wage flexibility.
Based on long-term statistical data on wave conditions, GL
has developed a new class notation for route-dependent deck
container s<strong>to</strong>wage and lashing. The new scheme accounts for
the fact that sea conditions vary from region <strong>to</strong> region.
The point of reference for both ship and lashing system
design has traditionally been the s<strong>to</strong>rmy, hurricane-prone
North Atlantic. But in reality, vessels are also deployed in many
other oceanic regions during their lifetime much calmer. Relying
on long-term statistics, GL has defined safety margins for
determining wave and wind loads acting on deck containers
and their lashing systems on specific routes.
New Class Notation
The upcoming GL class notation for route-dependent container
s<strong>to</strong>wage will take all this in<strong>to</strong> account. On suitable routes,
ship opera<strong>to</strong>rs will be able <strong>to</strong> place heavier boxes on the upper
tiers of deck stacks, more units on outside stacks, and even
an additional tier of empty containers where the line of sight
is not affected. Apart from faster and more flexible s<strong>to</strong>wage,
this could result in as much as ten per cent more cargo carried
on deck, depending on vessel size and route.
GL’s analysis of wave loads on a mega boxship vessel
travelling a typical route between Asia and Europe revealed
the extra cargo capacity a departure from the traditional rule
would allow: without compromising safety, ships could not
only take on an extra tier of containers; they could also, as
an alternative option, handle the weight distribution more
There isn’t a hurricane looming on
every trade route, so why treat all
containerships equally? GL is preparing
more flexible deck s<strong>to</strong>wage rules
flexibly and even carry more payload on deck. As a result, opera<strong>to</strong>rs
would be able <strong>to</strong> increase the number of loaded containers
on board and reduce the number of empty containers.
Individualised Service
As part of the route-dependent container s<strong>to</strong>wage scheme,
GL offers container lines a tailor-made s<strong>to</strong>wage and loading
plan for individual vessels and routes. This requires the use of
lashing software, which will assist cargo planners as well as
the crew in ensuring safe s<strong>to</strong>wage and lashing while giving
greater flexibility <strong>to</strong> opera<strong>to</strong>rs <strong>to</strong> take advantage of opportunities
whenever they arise.
GL is currently consulting with all relevant parties and
will have its “Route Specific Container S<strong>to</strong>wage (RSCS)”
class notation offer in place in the second quarter of 2013. It
will be available <strong>to</strong> all GL-classed container vessels.
For Further Information:
Jan-Olaf Probst, Executive Vice President, Global Ship Type Direc<strong>to</strong>r
Phone: +49 40 36149-537, E-Mail: jan-olaf.probst@gl-group.com
Illustration: Norbert Buchholz |
Dreamstime.com
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