International classification society RINA has updated its industry-leading GREEN PLUS notation to include new potential sources of pollution involving seagoing ships and ships operating at fixed locations.

GREEN PLUS is awarded to new vessels that make a significant investment in design solutions, onboard equipment and operational procedures which contribute to an improvement in environmental performance beyond the minimum levels required by regulation. Now GREEN PLUS includes, for the first time, specific reference to dispersion of cargo dusts from solid bulk cargo storage, spillage/leakage of substances from areas on weather decks, hot water discharge, dirty water from areas on weather decks, noise, visual impact, and light pollution assessment and mitigation. Special consideration is given to barges without machinery spaces.

The importance of monitoring the impact on the local environment of ships mainly operated at fixed offshore locations has also been included in GREEN PLUS through the introduction of environmental risk assessment, and through the periodic monitoring of air and seawater quality and of terrestrial and marine flora, including migrant animals.

Tags: RINA