Comparative analysis of classification societies' requirements for thickness of side shell plating

This paper presents a comparative analysis of the requirements set by leading classification societies within IACS for the minimum thickness of side shell plating in the midship region. The study covers the rules of such organizations as the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS), DNV GL, Bureau Veritas, American Bureau of Shipping, and others. Based on an extensive register book database comprising more than three thousand vessels, calculations of the minimum side shell plating thickness were performed in accordance with the standards of each society. The obtained results allowed not only for a comparison of the requirement levels of different classification societies and the identification of global trends in this area but also for an assessment of the competitiveness and potential reserves of the domestic fleet. To align the requirements of RS with those of foreign classification societies and to facilitate the process of assigning a ship to the RS class, a proposal for adjusting the calculation formula for minimum side shell plating thickness is put forward.

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