The large number of bulk carriers ordered to DNV class over the past few years, combined with the increased complexity of the hull approval work following the introduction of IACS Common Structural Rules (CSR), has resulted in a high work load at DNV hull approval centres.
In response to the high work load, DNV has recruited many young and promising engineers, as well as more experienced engineers, in recent years. To ensure that these new engineers maintain the same high quality of work as our more experienced engineers, DNV has focussed on training and active on-the-job coaching. The latest effort in this respect is the introduction of a new tool called “CSR Bulk Best Practice”, from which DNV expects to gain both greater efficiency and a uniform quality of hull approval work.
Knowledge sharing
The new “CSR Bulk Best Practice” tool provides practical support for knowledge sharing amongst DNV’s approval centres. This tool is accessed from the global DNV intranet and guides the approval engineers through the entire hull approval process by showing them how to deal with the various calculations as well as describing the verifications needed. The whole hull approval process is covered - from when the first drawing is received until the last drawing is stamped and approved.
The Best Practice includes interpretations of unclear rule requirements, instructions on how to carry out the different calculations, hints on how to use the software efficiently, checklists for verification, etc. The Best Practice also includes links to the relevant calculation tools, either Nauticus Hull or other calculation tools. The work process is designed to match a logical hull approval sequence, starting with the establishment of design parameters and followed by a review of the drawing packages for each area of the hull structure.
IACS Knowledge Centre Database
An important module in the DNV Best Practice tool is a database containing all the rule interpretations from the IACS Knowledge Centre. The Knowledge Centre contains more than 500 questions about the interpretation of CSR Bulk Rules. These questions originate from both the industry and the different class societies, and are answered by an IACS rule maintenance group. In the Best Practice tool, this huge amount of information is organised in a user-friendly and logical structure. This makes it much easier for each approval engineer to be up-to-date on the latest interpretations and rule changes.
The Best Practice for Bulk Carriers is the first in a series. The next one will be for CSR Tank, and more ship types are likely to follow. At present, the tool is for use internally in DNV only. At a later stage, it is planned to be used as a basis for external courses as well, so that DNV’s Best Practice tool can be shared with yards and designers.
Joint development – common understanding
The development of the Best Practice tool has been a joint effort by all of DNV’s approval centres. Through the tool, all DNV approval engineers can share their guidance and advice. In order to maintain its relevance, frequent updates will be issued.
The fact that every DNV approval centre is involved in the development and maintenance of the Best Practice tool ensures a common understanding of the CSR Bulk Rules. In addition, Experience Exchange Seminars for all DNV approval engineers are organised at regular intervals. Through these measures, DNV’s customers can rest assured that approval of their CSR bulk carriers will be a consistent process irrespective of the approval centre and approval engineer involved.