The Korean Register (KR) has developed a class notation covering underwater noise levels from ships, amid growing concern over the possible harm they cause to marine life.
The move comes in response to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) recently taking on the development of regulations to suppress noise pollution from vessels.
“As ships’ size and speed increases to handle high volumes of seaborne trade, so underwater radiated noise is becoming a more serious issue, causing increasing disruption to the marine ecosystem,” KR said.
It has based its notation on the International Organization for Standardization standard covering the description and measurement of underwater sound from ships.
The notation determines whether a ship meets the transit criteria for underwater noise when operating at 20 knots.
KR said owners will see benefits from controlling underwater noise. It pointed out that several countries and ports have introduced regulations relating to underwater radiated noise. The Port of Vancouver is offering discounts on port user fees for vessels that meet its standards.
“If our customers’ vessels have obtained KR’s class notation for underwater radiated noise, they will also be able to benefit from these advantages while reducing their impact on the maritime environment,” KR said.
It is also offering to help clients develop technical solutions to noise pollution.
At last month’s Ship Design & Construction meeting, the IMO set up a working group to review the existing guidelines on noise pollution.
It wants to update the guidelines to keep them in line with the increasing noise pollution levels from ships.
