Notices and General Information

RULES FOR BUILDING AND CLASSING

MARINE VESSELS
2021

NOTICES AND
GENERAL INFORMATION

American Bureau of Shipping

Incorporated by Act of Legislature of
the State of New York 1862

 2021 American Bureau of Shipping. All rights reserved.

1701 City Plaza Drive
Spring, TX 77389 USA
part
T a b l e o f C o n t e n t s

Notices and General Information

CONTENTS
Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 1
TABLE 1 Applicable Editions of Booklets Comprising 2021 Marine
Vessel Rules .............................................................................4
TABLE 2 Division and Numbering of Rules..............................................5
Rule Change Notice (2021) ............................................................................................. 6
TABLE 3 Summary of Changes from the 2020 Rules ..............................6

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Introduction
1. ABS Rules and Guides are developed and updated to keep pace with the marine industry. This has
resulted in a complex library of Rules and Guides. Many requirements are repeated throughout
the ABS Rules and Guides, making use and maintenance of Rules/Guides more challenging. To
address the duplication of requirements and to provide a set of Rules that is easier to navigate,
ABS has consolidated Rules for both Vessels and Offshore Units.

For vessels, the Rules for Building and Classing Steel Vessels, the Rules for Building and Classing
Steel Vessels Under 90 meters (295 feet) in Length and the Rules for Building and Classing
Offshore Support Vessels have been consolidated into the Rules for Building and Classing
Marine Vessels (the Marine Vessel Rules).

2. The year 2021 edition of the Rules for Building and Classing Marine Vessels consists of the
eleven (11) booklets as shown in Table 1. In this regard, we would bring the following to the
user’s attention:
a) The purpose of the generic title ABS Rules for Conditions of Classification (Part 1) is to
reflect the expanded contents of PART 1, as a result of including consolidated requirements
for “Classification” applicable to all types of and sizes of vessels, barges and specific
shipboard arrangements/systems, etc., except for those in offshore service, as specified in
the Foreword to Part 1. The supplemental requirements previously contained in
individual Rules and Guides have been consolidated into Chapters of Part 1.
b) The purpose of the generic title ABS Rules for Materials and Welding of PART 2 is to
emphasize the common applicability of the requirements to ABS-classed vessels, other
marine structures and their associated machinery, and thereby make PART 2 more readily
a common “PART” of various ABS Rules and Guides, as appropriate. The Rules for
steel, aluminum, and FRP materials have been consolidated into a single Part 2.
c) The purpose of the generic title ABS Rules for Survey After Construction (Part 7) is to
reflect the expanded contents of PART 7, as a result of including consolidated requirements
for “Surveys After Construction” applicable to all types and sizes of vessels, barges and
specific shipboard arrangements/systems, etc., as specified in Part 7, Chapter 1, Section 1.
3. The numbering system applied in the Rules is shown in Table 2.
4. The primary changes from the 2020 Rules are identified and listed in Table 3. The effective date
of the indicated Rule Changes is 1 January 2021, unless specifically indicated otherwise.
5. The listing of CLASSIFICATION SYMBOLS AND NOTATIONS is available from the ABS
website http://www.eagle.org/absdownloads/index.cfm for download.

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Notices and General Information

6. In association with the harmonization of the Common Structural Rules (CSR) for Bulk Carriers
and Oil Tankers, on 1 July 2015, the three Sub-parts, 5A, 5B, and 5C, of Part 5 of the Rules for
Building and Classing Marine Vessels are as follows:

Contents
Part 5A: General Hull Requirements (IACS CSR Part 1)
Part 5B: Ship Types (IACS CSR Part 2)
Part 5C: This Part is divided into two separate booklets as follows:
Chapters 1 to 6: Tankers and Bulk Carriers not covered by Part 5A
and Part 5B and Container Carriers
Chapters 7 to 18: Passenger Vessels, Liquefied Gas Carriers, Chemical
Carriers, Vessels Intended to Carry Vehicles, Water
Carriers, Membrane Tank LNG Carriers, Vessels
Using Gases or other Low-Flashpoint Fuels, Fire
Fighting Vessels, Oil Recovery Vessels, Escort
Vessels, Vessels Under 90 m (295 ft) Intended for
Towing, and Fishing Vessels.
Part 5D: Offshore Support Vessels for Specialized Services
Application – Oil Tankers
The structural requirements in Part 5A, Pt 1 and Part 5B, Pt 2, Ch 2 of the Rules are
applicable for double hull oil tankers of 150 m in length and upward, with structural
arrangements as specified in Part 5A, Pt 1, Ch 1, Sec 1, [1.3].
For oil tankers with structural arrangements not covered by Part 5A, Pt 1 and Part 5B,
Pt 2, Ch 2, the requirements in Part 5C, Chapters 1 or 2, are to be complied with.
Application – Bulk Carriers
The structural requirements in Part 5A, Pt 1 and Part 5B, Pt 2, Ch 1 of the Rules are
applicable for single side skin and double side skin bulk carriers of 90m in length and
upward, with structural arrangements as specified in Part 5A, Pt 1, Ch 1, Sec 1, [1.2].
For vessels intended to carry ore or bulk cargoes, other than the single side skin or double
side skin bulk carriers of 90 m in length and upward with structural arrangements as
specified in Part 5A, Pt 1 and Part 5B, Pt 2, Ch 1, the requirements in Part 5C, Chapters 3
or 4 are to be complied with.
Application – ABS Construction Monitoring Program
These compulsory requirements for CSR notation are specified in Part 5C, Appendix 2.
Application – Onboard Systems for Oil Tankers and Bulk Carriers
The onboard systems for all tankers are to comply with the requirements of Part 5C,
Chapter 1, Section 7, and for all bulk carriers are to comply with the requirements of Part
5C, Chapter 3, Section 7 of the Rules.
Application – References
Other Parts of the ABS Rules that are referenced within Part 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D are also
to be applied.
The following flow chart indicates the application of the Rules and typical Class Notations for
tanker and bulk carrier vessels, of which arrangements and scantlings are in full compliance with
the Rules:

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Vessels Intended to Carry Oil in Bulk Vessels Intended to Carry Ore or Bulk Cargoes

No No
L ≥ 150 m? L ≥ 90 m?

Yes Yes

Arrangement and Arrangement and

No No
layout comply with layout comply with
Part 5A, Pt 1, Ch 1, Sec 1, [1.3] and Part 5A, Pt 1, Ch 1, Sec 1, [1.2] and
Part 5A, Pt 1, Ch 1, Sec 1, Part 5A, Pt 1, Ch 1, Sec 1,
Figure 3? Figures 1 & 2?

Yes Yes

Part 5A, Pt 1 and Part 5B, Pt 1, Ch 2: Part 5A, Pt 1 and Part 5B, Pt 1, Ch 1:
Common Structural Rules Common Structural Rules
and and
Part 5C, Appendix 2 Part 5C, Appendix 2
Part 5C, Chapter 1, Section 7: Part 5C, Chapter 3, Section 7:
ABS Marine Vessel Rules ABS Marine Vessel Rules

À A1 Oil Carrier, CSR, AB-CM À A1 Bulk Carrier, CSR, AB-CM

plus plus
appropriate notations for oil carriers appropriate notations for bulk carriers

Part 5C, Chapter 1, Part 5C, Chapter 3,

Appendix 1 to Part 5C Appendix 1 to Part 5C
ABS Marine Vessel Rules ABS Marine Vessel Rules
(L ≥ 150 m) (L ≥ 150 m)
Or

À A1 Oil Carrier, SH, SHCM À A1 Bulk Carrier, SH, SHCM

plus plus
appropriate notations for oil carriers appropriate notations for bulk carriers

Part 5C, Chapter 2 Part 5C, Chapter 4

ABS Marine Vessel Rules ABS Marine Vessel Rules
(L < 150 m) (L < 150 m)

À A1 Oil Carrier À A1 Bulk Carrier

plus plus
appropriate notations for oil carriers appropriate notations for bulk carriers

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Notices and General Information

TABLE 1
Applicable Editions of Booklets Comprising 2021 Marine Vessel Rules
Notices and General Information 2021
Part 1: Rules for Conditions of Classification 2021
Part 2: Rules for Materials and Welding 2021
Rules for Testing and Certification of Materials
Rules for Welding and Fabrication
Part 3: Hull Construction and Equipment 2021
Part 4: Vessel Systems and Machinery 2021
Part 5A: Specific Vessel Types 2021 (on and after
(Booklet 1) General Hull Requirements (IACS CSR Part 1) 1 July 2020)
Part 5B: Specific Vessel Types 2021 (on and after
(Booklet 1) Ship Types (IACS CSR Part 2) 1 July 2020)
Part 5C: Specific Vessel Types 2021
(Booklet 2) Chapter 1 & 2 Oil Carrier
Chapter 3 & 4 Bulk Carrier
Chapter 5 & 6 Container Carrier
Part 5C: Specific Vessel Types 2021
(Booklet 3) Chapter 7 Passenger Carrier
Chapter 8 Liquefied Gas Carrier
Chapter 9 Chemical Carrier
Chapter 10 Vehicle Carrier
Chapter 11 Water Carrier
Chapter 12 Liquefied Gas Carrier with Membrane
Tanks
Chapter 13 Vessels Using Gases or other Low-
Flashpoint Fuels
Chapter 14 Fire Fighting Vessels
Chapter 15 Oil Recovery Vessels
Chapter 16 Escort Vessels
Chapter 17 Vessels Under 90m (295 ft) Intended
for Towing
Chapter 18 Fishing Vessels

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Part 5D: Offshore Support Vessels for Specialized Services 2021

(Booklet 4) Chapter 1 Vessels Intended for Offshore Support Services
Chapter 2 Offshore Supply
Chapter 3 Anchor Handling and Towing
Chapter 4 Fire Fighting
Chapter 5 Diving and Remotely Operated Vehicles
(ROVs) Support
Chapter 6 Oil Spill Recovery
Chapter 7 Safety Standby Rescue
Chapter 8 Pipe Laying
Chapter 9 Heavy Lift
Chapter 10 Well Intervention
Chapter 11 Well Stimulation
Chapter 12 Well Test
Chapter 13 Escort
Chapter 14 Wind Turbine Installation, Maintenance and
Repair (Wind IMR)
Chapter 15 Cable Laying
Chapter 16 Subsea Services
Part 6: Specialized Items and Systems 2021
Chapter 1 Strengthening for Navigation in Ice
Chapter 2 Refrigerated Cargo Vessels
Part 7: Rules for Survey After Construction 2021

TABLE 2
Division and Numbering of Rules
Division Number
Part Part 1
Chapter Part 1, Chapter 1
Section Section 1-1-1
Subsection (see Note 1) 1-1-1/1
Paragraph (see Note 1) 1-1-1/1.1
Subparagraph 1-1-1/1.1.1
Item 1-1-1/1.1.1(a)
Subitem 1-1-1/1.1.1(a)i)
Appendix Appendix 1-1-A1 or Appendix 1-A1-1
Note:
1 An odd number (1, 3, 5, etc.) numbering system is used for the Rules. The purpose is to permit future insertions of
even-numbered paragraphs (2, 4, 6, etc.) of text and to avoid the necessity of having to renumber the existing text and
associated cross-references, as applicable, within the Rules and associated process instructions, check sheets, etc.

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Rule Change Notice (2021)

TABLE 3
Summary of Changes from the 2020 Rules
EFFECTIVE DATE 1 January 2021 – shown as (2021)

Part/Para. No. Title/Subject Status/Remarks

PART 1 Rules for Conditions of Classification
1-1-2/1.3, 7 Suspension and Cancellation of To clarify the circumstances that may result in suspension of class.
Classification
1-8-2/1 Classification Symbols and Notations To include conditions of classification for Barges used for Great
Lakes Service.

EFFECTIVE DATE 1 July 2020 – shown as (1 July 2020)

(based on the date of purchase order of the materials)
Part/Para. No. Title/Subject Status/Remarks
PART 2 Materials and Welding
2-4-1/3.1 Hull Construction To update the requirement for tapering of plate of 3 mm to 4 mm in
compliance with CSR (1-12-3/3.2.1) and in line with other
Classification societies' requirements.

EFFECTIVE DATE 1 January 2021 – shown as (2021)

(based on the date of purchase order of the materials)
Part/Para. No. Title/Subject Status/Remarks
PART 2 Materials and Welding
2-4-1/1.7.1 Hull Construction To clarify that either of two CVN test locations may be used.
2-5-5/Table 1B Tensile Properties To indicate that the tensile property requirements of 5083-H128 for
base material are addressed as a tentative property in ASTM B928-15.
2-A3-1 Application of Filler Metals to ABS To permit the use of consumables of lower strength for extra high
Steels strength materials YQ91 and YQ98, provided the design criteria is
still met, in line with IACS UR W23.

EFFECTIVE DATE 1 July 2020 – shown as (1 July 2020)

(based on the contract date for new construction between builder and Owner)
Part/Para. No. Title/Subject Status/Remarks
PART 3 Hull Construction and Equipment
3-1-1/3.1, 9.3 and Definitions To revise the definitions of the Rule length and block coefficient in
13.3 line with IACS UR S2, rev.2.
3-2-4/9.9 Bottom Structures To be consistent with the bottom clearance as per 4-4-1/19.3.
3-2-11/3.6, 3.7.2, Superstructures, Deckhouses and To specify requirements for the usage of swage panels in the exposed
5.3, Figure 1 Helicopter Decks superstructure bulkheads.
3-2-12/3.3 Machinery Space and Tunnel To be consistent with the clearances as per 4-4-1/19.3.
3-3-1/3, 7, 9, 11, Subdivision and Stability, General To move general stability guidance applicable to all vessels from the
15 Requirements Appendices to 3-3 into Section 3-3-1.
3-3-A2/5, 9, 15 Intact Stability Requirements for To move general stability criteria applicable to all vessels to Section
Offshore Support Vessels 3-3-1.
3-3-A2/21 Intact Stability Requirements for To update criteria applicability to IMO Code on Intact Stability 2008
Offshore Support Vessels as Amended by IMO Res. MSC.415(97).

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Part/Para. No. Title/Subject Status/Remarks

3-3-A3/11.1, Intact Stability Requirements for To remove general stability guidance that has been relocated to
11.5. 13.3i) Fishing Vessels Section 3-3-1 and update Appendix title for clarity.
3-5-1/3.7.1 to Anchoring, Mooring, and Towing To remove duplicate requirements contained in Section 3-5-3 and
3.7.3 Equipment clarify the application.
3-5-1/14 Anchoring, Mooring, and Towing To introduce the same text as IACS Recommendation 10.
Equipment
PART 4 Vessel Systems and Machinery
4-1-1/Table 6 Classification of Machinery To align with the requirements in MVR 4-6-1/Table 2.
4-2-1/1.5.5 Internal Combustion Engines To incorporate IACS UR M80 Requirements for AC Generating Sets.
4-3-4/1.1, 1.5.2, Steering Gears To align with IACS UI SC242 REV2 (Jan 2020) and IMO
1.9, 1.10 MSC.1/Circ.1416/Rev1, making requirement for a main and auxiliary
steering gear applicable for each of the steering gears for a twin
steering-propulsion unit installation.
4-3-5/1.1, 1.5.7, Thrusters To incorporate IACS UI SC242 Rev 2 (Jan 2020) and IMO
5.11, 5.12, 13.5 MSC.1/Circ.1416/Rev1 to cover all non traditional steering systems
(not only thrusters).
4-3-6/1.1, 1.23 Waterjets To align with IACS UI SC242 Rev2 (Jan 2020) and IMO
MSC.1/Circ.1416/Rev1 by referring to the new section 4-3-4/1.10.
4-3-8/1.3, 1.7, Podded Propulsion Units To align with IACS UI SC242 Rev2 (Jan 2020) and IMO
11.9, 17.3 MSC.1/Circ.1416/Rev1 by referring to the new section 4-3-4/1.10.
4-4-1/1.9, Table Boilers and Pressure Vessels and To update the ABS type approval Tier requirements of Group II
2, Table 3, 7.5 Fired Equipment vessels in Table 2 as per MVR 4-4-1/1.9 and to update the ABS
certification details in Table 3 as per MVR 4-4-1/1.9 and MVR 4-4-
1/7.
4-5-1/1.3, 3.3, 11 Anchor Windlass To modify requirements regarding welded fabrication taking into
account welding consumables which are not specified in W17 nor
W23 and to align requirements regarding the marking with
requirements of ISO 4568:2006, in line with IACS UR A3 REV.1
(JUN 2019) and to delete BS MA35, as this standard has been
withdrawn.
4-6-4/7.7 Ship Piping Systems and Tanks To provide a practical contingency for situations where the ballast
water treatment system may be out of service.
4-6-5/3.3.6 Piping Systems for Internal To allow using electric resistance welded pipes instead of seamless
Combustion Engines pipes between MGO Booster Pump and Injection Pump in internal
combustion engine F.O. piping because it is not necessary to heat
MGO or install a Booster Pump of pressure above 7 bar.
4-6-5/3.3.8 Piping Systems for Internal To incorporate Ch 4, Sect 2 of IMO MSC.1/Circ 1321 for fuel oil
Combustion Engines isolation valves for multi-engines.
4-6-5/15 Piping Systems for Internal To delete redundant para. 15.
Combustion Engines
4-6-6/7.5 Piping Systems for Steam Plants To remove the requirement of the extra-heavy steel for the auxiliary
boiler supporting the propulsion system.
4-7-2/5.3 Provisions for Specific Spaces To align with SOLAS II-2/18 (Helicopter Facilities) amended by IMO
Resolution MSC.404(96) requiring foam firefighting appliances for
helicopter landing areas on ships constructed on or after 1 January
2020 to comply with the relevant provisions of new Chapter 17 of the
FSS Code.
4-7-2/7, Tables 1 Provisions for Specific Spaces To update requirements for carriage of dangerous goods on general
through 4 cargo vessels based on latest SOLAS and IMDG Code amendments.
4-8-3/3.11.8 and Electrical Equipment To incorporate IACS UR M80 Requirements for AC Generating Sets.
3.19
PART 5C Specific Vessel Types
5C-1-7/3.3.2(f) Cargo Oil and Associated Systems To replace the term "glands" with "shaft seal".
5C-3-7/3.5, Cargo Safety and Vessel Systems To update requirements for carriage of dangerous goods on bulk or
Tables 1 and 2 ore carriers based on latest SOLAS and IMDG Code amendments.
5C-3-A5a/3.1 Longitudinal Strength of Bulk To incorporate IACS UR S17 Rev.10, which specifies the application
Carriers in Flooded Condition to self-unloading bulk carriers (SUBCs)

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Part/Para. No. Title/Subject Status/Remarks

5C-3-A5b/3.1 Bulk Carriers in Flooded Conditions - To incorporate IACS UR S18 Rev.10, which specifies the application
Corrugated Transverse Watertight to self-unloading bulk carriers (SUBCs)
Bulkheads
5C-5-7 Cargo Safety To update requirements for carriage of dangerous goods in container
carriers based on latest SOLAS and IMDG Code amendments.
5C-8-4/13.4.2, Cargo Containment To introduce the Guidance Notes on Thermal Analysis of Vessels
19.1.1 with Tanks for Liquefied Gas as a reference in the Rules for detailed
thermal analysis and temperature calculation.
5C-8-4/19.1.6 Cargo Containment To incorporate IACS UI GC23 Corr.1 (Dec.2019).
5C-8-5/12.3.1 Process Pressure Vessels and Liquid, To incorporate UI GC 25 Rev.1 (April 2019) concerning cargo piping
Vapour, and Pressure Piping Systems insulation systems.
5C-8-5/13.1.1(d) Process Pressure Vessels and Liquid, To incorporate IACS UI SC26 Corr.1 (Dec. 2019), which clarifies that
Vapour, and Pressure Piping Systems only those valves that are considered essential for the safety of the
system, i.e. pressure relief valves, should be certified by the
Administration or Recognized Organization acting on its behalf while
other types of valves are to be certified by the manufacturer according
to recognized standards.
5C-8-13/9.3 Instrumentation and Automation To incorporate IACS UI GC29 (May 2019) which clarifies which
Systems systems are included in the “integrated system” and for which systems
risk assessment is required.
5C-10-4/3, Tables Cargo Safety To update requirements for carriage of dangerous goods on vessels
1 and 3 carrying vehicles based on latest SOLAS and IMDG Code
amendments.
5C-13- Fuel Containment System To introduce the Guidance Notes on Thermal Analysis of Vessels
6/4.9.3.3.3.2, with Tanks for Liquefied Gas as a reference in the Rules for detailed
4.13.1.1.1 thermal analysis and temperature calculation.
5C-17-A1/1 Intact Stability Guidelines for Towing To update criteria applicability to IMO Code on Intact Stability 2008
Vessels as Amended by IMO Res. MSC.415(97).
PART 5D Offshore Support Vessels for Specialized Services
5D-1-1 General To remove "TEMP" notations.
5D-1-2/1.1 Special Purpose To update requirements for Offshore Support Vessels complying with
the 2008 Code of Safety for Special Purpose Ships (SPS Code)
adopted by MSC.266(84), as amended by MSC. 299(87),
MSC.408(96), MSC.445(99) and MSC.464(101).
5D-1-2/5.3.1 Special Purpose - Damage Stability To update SPS Stability and Subdivision to reflect IMO Res.
MSC.408(69) for the calculation of the required index.
5D-1-2/7.5 Special Purpose To update 5D-1-2/7.5 based on IMO Res. MSC.299(87).
5D-1-2/13.3 Special Purpose To incorporate IMO Resolution A.1122(30), which will allow use of
1.) IMO Resolution A.673 (16), “Guidelines for the Transport and
Handling of Limited Amounts of Hazardous and Noxious Liquid
Substances in Bulk in Offshore Support Vessels” as amended by IMO
Resolutions MSC.236(82) and MEPC.158(55) or 2.) IMO Resolution
A.1122(30), “Code for the Transport and Handling of Hazardous and
Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk on Offshore Support Vessels”
(OSV Chemical Code).
5D-2-3/1.1 Carriage of Limited Amounts of To incorporate IMO Resolution A.1122(30), which will allow use of
Hazardous and Noxious Liquid 1.) IMO Resolution A.673 (16), “Guidelines for the Transport and
Substances Handling of Limited Amounts of Hazardous and Noxious Liquid
Substances in Bulk in Offshore Support Vessels” as amended by IMO
Resolutions MSC.236(82) and MEPC.158(55) or 2.) IMO Resolution
A.1122(30), “Code for the Transport and Handling of Hazardous and
Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk on Offshore Support Vessels”
(OSV Chemical Code).
5D-3-A3/1, 7 Intact Stability Guidelines for Towing To update criteria applicability to IMO Code on Intact Stability 2008
as Amended by IMO Res. MSC.415(97).
5D-10-1 General To remove the temporary and permanent definitions and to update the
flow chart for well intervention vessel classification per the Rule
updates in the PRC.

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Part/Para. No. Title/Subject Status/Remarks

5D-10-2/3, 5 Well Intervention Ready To refine and update the requirements throughout the section to
maintain consistency with other ABS Rules.
5D-10-3 Temporary Well Intervention To update the requirements to remove the temporary concept,
Systems including deleting all temporary terms, removing or minimizing the
engineering design review involvements for vessel modification
without notation assigned and removing the requirements for
industrial equipment and systems.
5D-10-4 Permanent Well Intervention Systems To remove the requirements for industrial equipment and systems, and
to update and refine the requirements.
5D-10-5 Well Intervention Equipment and To remove the requirements for industrial equipment and systems for
Systems optional notations, similar to MODU Rules versus CDS Guide.
5D-11-1 General To remove the concept of temporary installations of equipment
systems.
5D-11-3/1 Vessel Design To remove the concept of temporary installations of equipment
systems.
5D-11-6 Well Stimulation Ready To remove the concept of temporary installations of equipment
systems.
5D-11-7 Temporary Well Stimulation To remove the concept of temporary installations of equipment
systems.
5D-12-1 General To remove the concept of temporary installation of equipment and
systems, including deleting definitions for temporary and permanent
systems and updating flow chart for well test systems classification.
5D-12-2 Well Test Ready To simplify and update the section throughout to align with other
ABS Rules requirements, similar to the arrangement between the FPI
Rules and Facilities Rules or the MODU Rules and CDS Guide.
5D-12-3 Installation of Temporary Well Test To remove the concept of temporary installations of equipment and
Systems systems, including removing or minimizing the engineering design
involvement for vessels without a notation assigned.
5D-12-4 Permanent Well Test Systems To update the requirements throughout the section to align with other
ABS Rules requirements, similar to the arrangement between the FPI
Rules and Facilities Rules or the MOU Rules and CDS Guide.
5D-12-5 Well Test Equipment and Systems To relocate the flare boom structure requirements to the Sections for
Ready notation and Well Test notation.
PART 6 Specialized Items and Systems
6-1-2/9.1, 15 and Structural Requirements for Polar To provide guidance on acceptance criteria for web frame and load
33 Class Vessels carrying stringers in Polar Class vessels using non-linear finite
element analysis.

EFFECTIVE DATE 1 January 2021 – shown as (2021)

(based on the contract date for new construction between builder and Owner)
Part/Para. No. Title/Subject Status/Remarks
PART 3 Hull Construction and Equipment
3-1-2/11 General Requirements To apply the docking arrangement requirements in 3-1-2/11 of Marine
Vessel Rules 2019 to all vessels.
3-1-2/15.7 General Requirements To incorporate general requirements for bolted connections.
3-1-2/Table 1 General Requirements To add requirement for higher Plate Thickness to bring ABS Rules in
line with other IACS class societies.
3-2-2/12 Shell Plating To clarify the requirements for the structural analysis of skeg
structures, as per Part B, Chapter 3/3.5.1 of the IMO Intact Stability
Code.
3-2-2/7 Shell Plating To make the requirement consistent with MVR 3-2-2/3.17.
3-2-4/19.3 Bottom Structures To make clear that the increase of the thickness is not applicable to the
drain wells in the engine room, since they are always oily and
accordingly less susceptible to corrosion.

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Notices and General Information

Part/Para. No. Title/Subject Status/Remarks

3-2-11/3.5 Superstructures, Deckhouses and To eliminate the gap in minimum heads for superstructure and
Helicopter Decks deckhouse wall for steel vessels under 90m and not less than 90m, in
line with IACS UR S3.
3-2-13/13 Stems, Stern Frames, Rudder Horns, To specify that the radiographic or other subsurface inspections are to
and Propeller Nozzles be verified by the attending Surveyor.
3-2-14/Table 1B Rudders and Steering Equipment To delete the text “to be specially considered; if not known:” and only
keep K2 = 1.3 in Table 1, since the astern speed is generally half of
the maximum service speed, and thus the calculated rudder force in
S10.2.1.1 is governed by the ahead condition comparing with astern
condition for the high lift rudder.
3-2-19/11.9 Weld Design To incorporate current ABS practice for overlaps of pipe penetration
collars into the Rules.
3-2-19/13 Weld Design To revise the requirements for plug and slot welds, consistent with
other recognized industry standards.
3-5-1/12 Anchoring, Mooring, and Towing To more clearly define "ample size and strength" of hawse pipes, in
Equipment line with ABS practice.
PART 4 Vessel Systems and Machinery
4-1-1/3.9 Classification of Machinery To clarify the stamping requirements for equipment.
4-2-1/13.7.2ii), Internal Combustion Engines To include the option test for type test, PTO shaft generators and sea
iv) trials in case of engines driving CPP propellers.
4-2-1A8/7.5 Guidance for Evaluation of Fatigue To incorporate latest requirements of IACS UR M53 Rev4 (Aug
Tests 2019), which modifies the formula for the calculation of the
acceptability factor (Q) for crankpin oil bore because the use of the
maximum principal equivalent stress formulation was evaluated to be
more appropriate than the multi-axial Gough-Pollard formulation.
4-3-2/5.15 Propulsion Shafting To align with IACS UR M52 Rev.2 (Nov 2019), regarding the length
of grease lubricated bearings and synthetic materials for application as
oil lubricated stern tube bearings.
4-3-2/Table 4 Propulsion Shafting To specify different criteria for carbon steels and alloy steels in terms
of permissible torsional vibration stresses in alignment with IACS UR
M68 Rev.2 Apr 2015.
4-3-3/1.3.5, 1.5.5, Propellers To add requirements for retrofitting existing vessels with propeller
3.1, 5.17, 7.3 boss cap fins and repaired propellers and reference to 7-A-10 for
additional requirements for certification of a propeller.
4-3-3/5.7 Propellers To align with 4-3-5/5.3.3 of Marine Vessel Rules, regarding blades of
unusual design for thrusters.
4-3-4/13.1.9 Steering Gears To align with IACS UR E25 Rev.1 (Dec.2019) in order to clarify the
intention and the requirements of this paragraph.
4-3-5/5.3.3 Thrusters To clarify, as per 4-3-3/5.5.2 & 5.5.3 of MVR, that only the propellers
made of materials other than Type 4 with skew angle 25° < θ ≤ 50°
and propellers with skew angle θ > 50° are subject to special
consideration, not all of the propellers that the propeller the skew
angle θ > 25° are belong to blades of unusual design.
4-3-7/7.1 and 7.3 Propulsion Redundancy To specify that a little longer restoration time than 2 minutes may be
acceptable if it is within the design specification.
4-4-1/1.13.2 Boilers and Pressure Vessels and To provide test requirements in Rules for Brazed Plate Heat
Fired Equipment Exchangers.
4-6-2/5.15 Metallic Piping To specify the requirement for nonstandard filters or strainers.
4-6-4/7.5.5 Ship Piping Systems and Tanks To specify arrangements to regard the tanks as segregated ballast
tanks even if treated sewage and gray water are transferred to
segregated ballast tanks.
4-6-4/13.5.2 Ship Piping Systems and Tanks To provide the minimum requirements for the construction of free
standing tanks (pressurized as well as un-pressurized) that are
proposed to be incorporated under 4-6-4/13.5.2 of the Marine Vessel
Rules and to reference MVR 4-6-4/13.5.2 for the applicable
requirements for helicopter fuel tanks.
4-6-7/9.7.1 Other Piping Systems To reference MVR 4-6-4/13.5.2 for the applicable construction
requirements for helicopter fuel tanks.

10 ABS RULES FOR BUILDING AND CLASSING MARINE VESSELS . 2021

Notices and General Information

Part/Para. No. Title/Subject Status/Remarks

4-7-3/3.1.9iv), Fire-extinguishing Systems and To align with 46 CFR 95.15-20 (c), MOU 5-2-3/3.1.2 and MVR 4-7-
3.1.11 Equipment 3/3.11.3.
4-8-1/5.3.2 General Provisions To provide clarity to the information that is to be included within the
Hazardous Area Plan and the separate Hazardous Area Equipment
Booklet.
4-8-1/Table 1 General Provisions To include fuel gas supply pumps and low duty gas compressor
motors as one of the primary essential service motors.
4-8-2/11.9 System Design To provide specific requirements to the arrangement of emergency
shutdown systems.
4-8-4/11.5 Shipboard Installation and Tests To update the rule requirements for the lighting distribution boards for
the emergency lighting in engine room escape routes.
4-8-4/21.9.1 and Shipboard Installation and Tests To correct 21.9.3(b) and sketch to specify metal cable tie intervals not
21.9.3(b) exceeding 2 m.
4-8-4/27.3.3(e) Shipboard Installation and Tests To include the hazardous area of vent outlet of fuel oil storage tank
similar to 4-6-4/13.5.7 of MVR.
4-9-2/9.5.3iii) Essential Features Requirements To include the requirement for auxiliary and propulsion diesel engines
without override function.
4-9-3/Table 2, Computer-based Systems To bring inline with IACS UR E22.
Table 3
4-9-3-A2/5.3, 25 On Board Use and Application of To align the table in 4-9-3/25 with the latest edition of IACS UR E22.
Computer-based systems
PART 5C Specific Vessel Types
5C-1-7/23.1.1 Cargo Oil and Associated Systems To align the requirement as per Resolution IMO 365(93).
5C-1-7/3.3.1(j) Cargo Oil and Associated Systems To align with the provisions of 3.d of OCIMF document, "AN
and (k) INFORMATION PAPER ON PUMPROOM SAFETY"
5C-8-1/1 General (ABS) To clarify RELIQ and GCU notations as optional notations to prevent
a misunderstanding as mandatory notations.
5C-8-5/13.1.2 Process Pressure Vessels and Liquid, To add requirement that prototype test of expansion bellows are to be
(ABS) Vapour, and Pressure Piping Systems witnessed in the presence of the Surveyor.
5C-8-A2 United States Coast Guard Additional To clarify the Rules to the current USCG requirements for Liquefied
Design and Structural Requirements Gas Carriers.
for Non-US Flag Vessels Operating
on the Navigable Waters of the
United States
5C-8-A5 Reliquefaction System (ABS) To clarify the ABS RELIQ notation requirements and update the
Appendix with consideration to the 2016 IGC Code revisions and
remove reference to MVR Part 6.
5C-8-A6/3.1 Gas Combustion Units/Thermal To clarify the cargo compressor design and testing requirements.
Oxidizers (ABS)
5C-9-1/3.5, 3.17, General (ABS) To incorporate the updates from IMO Resolutions MSC.460(101) and
3.20, 3.23, 3.25, MEPC.3.18(74), which add and update several definitions and revises
3.31, 3.32, 5.1.2 the specification of "recognized organization".
5C-9-1/11.7 General (ABS) To specify the requirements for scantlings of cargo tanks made of
clad/solid stainless steel.
5C-9-15/15 Special Requirements To incorporate the updates from IMO Resolutions MSC.460(101) and
MEPC.3.18(74), which add requirements for Hydrogen sulfide
detection equipment for bulk liquids.
5C-9-16/2.7 Operational Requirements To incorporate the updates from IMO Resolutions MSC.460(101) and
MEPC.3.18(74), which add a reference to prewash requirements in
regulation 13.7.1.4 of Annex II of MARPOL.
5C-9-17 Summary of Minimum Requirements To incorporate the updates from IMO Resolutions MSC.460(101) and
MEPC.3.18(74), which update the list of chemicals.
5C-9-18 List of Chemicals to Which the Code To incorporate the updates from IMO Resolutions MSC.460(101) and
Does Not Apply MEPC.3.18(74), which update the list of chemicals to which the Code
does not apply.
5C-9-19 Index of Products Carried in Bulk To incorporate the updates from IMO Resolutions MSC.460(101) and
MEPC.3.18(74), which update the list of chemicals.

ABS RULES FOR BUILDING AND CLASSING MARINE VESSELS . 2021 11

Notices and General Information

Part/Para. No. Title/Subject Status/Remarks

5C-9-21 Criteria for Assigning Carriage To incorporate the updates from IMO Resolutions MSC.460(101) and
Requirements for Products Subject to MEPC.3.18(74), which add GESAMP Hazard Profile ratings and the
the IBC Code SVC/LC50 ratio method.
5C-12-3/1.1 Load Criteria To clarify that thermal load is not considered for the design of hull
structure in membrane-type LNG carriers.
5C-13-1/1 General (ABS) To clarify RELIQ and GCU notations as optional notations to prevent
a misunderstanding as mandatory notations.
5C-13-1/1.3, 1.5 General (ABS) To clarify the intent of application of the RELIQ & GCU notations.
5C-13-6 Reliquefaction Systems (ABS) To clarify FMEA for availability (MVR 5C-13-6/9.6) satisfies the
Appendix 2 intent of this Rule.
5C-13-8/4.3 & Bunkering To specify that ABS does not require vapor return to be fitted.
5.9
5C-13-9/4.10 Fuel Supply to Consumers To add an acceptable means of rapid detection, similar to 2/4.2vii) of
the ABS Guide for Gas Fueled Ships.
PART 5D Offshore Support Vessels for Specialized Services
5D-7-1/3.1 General To clarify that the visibility requirements apply to the navigation
bridge deck (not the navigation bridge), in line with the requirements
with Section 2.4 of UK ERRV Guidelines.
5D-7-3/3.1 General Requirements To clarify that the visibility requirements apply to the navigation
bridge deck (not the navigation bridge), in line with the requirements
with Section 2.4 of UK ERRV Guidelines.
PART 6 Specialized Items and Systems
6-1-2 Structural Requirements for Polar To introduce the definitions for the ship length (LUI), molded breadth
Class Vessels (BUI) and the displacement (DUI) measured at the upper ice waterline
(UIWL) and to update Table 11 in accordance with IACS UR I2.

12 ABS RULES FOR BUILDING AND CLASSING MARINE VESSELS . 2021

Notices and General Information

Part 7 “Rules for Survey After Construction”

The reference date which is indicated in the parentheses following the title of the requirement in this Part is the date
that the requirement becomes effective [e.g., 7-1-1/12 “General Information” (1 July 2020) is to apply for vessels
undergoing survey on or after 1 July 2020].

EFFECTIVE DATE 1 July 2020 – shown as (1 July 2020)

Part/Para. No. Title/Subject Status/Remarks

PART 7 Rules for Survey After Construction
7-1-1/12 General Information To provide guidance on the requirements of NDE personnel carrying
out examinations on existing vessels and offshore structures.
7-3-2/5.1.7(e) Vessels for Unrestricted Service To harmonize ABS requirements with IACS UR Z7 Rev 25, which
clarifies the number of fuel oil tanks to be inspected at special survey
to assure that, regardless of the ship configuration and tank layout, an
adequate number of tanks are internally examined.
7-6-2/1 Survey Requirements To update Annual Survey requirements in compliance with IACS UR
Z1, Rev.7.
7-6-2/1.1.9(a) & Survey Requirements To add operational testing at annual survey and special survey and
3.1.1(v) opening up for internal inspection at special survey of Fire Main
Isolation Valves.
7-6-2/1.3.4 Survey Requirements To align 7-6-2/1.3.4 changes to the bow or stern loading/unloading
notation for oil carrier in the Guide.
7-6-2/1.9 Survey Requirements To reinstate annual survey requirements for gas fueled/dual fuel
engines and turbines which were deleted in 2018.
7-9-6/3.1.9 Thrusters and Dynamic Positioning To require annual system overload testing of dynamic positioning
System system computers.
7-9-33 Aquaculture Service Vessels To relocate the survey requirements for aquaculture service vessels
from the Guide into Part 7.
7-A1-9/3 Reporting Principles for ESP Vessels To incorporate wording associated with survey requirements of bulk
carriers in IACS UR Z10.2 and 10.5.
7-A1-14 Surveys Based on Preventative To align with current maintenance practices and ABS practice and to
Maintenance Techniques incorporate smart technologies.

EFFECTIVE DATE 1 January 2021 – shown as (2021)

Part/Para. No. Title/Subject Status/Remarks

PART 7 Rules for Survey After Construction
7-3-2/3.1.5 and Vessels for Unrestricted Service To include all fenders during intermediate surveys and special
5.1.16 periodical surveys.
7-6-2/1.9 and 3.9 Survey Requirements To list the requirements for Surveys of vessels with Fuel Cell Power
Systems onboard and to add cross reference to Section 8 of the newly
developed Guide for Fuel Cell Power System for Marine and Offshore
Applications.
7-11-3/13 Annual Surveys To include Hyberbaric Evacuation Units (HEUs) and Self Propelled
Hyperbaric Lifeboats (SPHLs).
7-A1-10/1.5.2, Bronze and Stainless Steel Propeller To align with the requirements found in 4-3-3/7.3.
3.11.4 Castings

ABS RULES FOR BUILDING AND CLASSING MARINE VESSELS . 2021 13