GENOA-based classification society RINA has published a new set of rules covering offshore units including FPSOs, FSRUs and MODUs. The new rules are based on experience in helping develop the world's first offshore LNG terminals, both fixed and floating.

The Rules for the Classification of Floating Offshore Units at Fixed Locations and Mobile Offshore Drilling Units came into force on March 15, 2010 and are supported by a Guide for Risk Analyses and a Guide for Technology Qualification Processes.

"The key factors in these new rules are a thorough revision of our existing rules based on our unique experience with offshore LNG, and the introduction of an over-arching safety philosophy approach, the compliance with which operators and designers have to demonstrate through the use of risk analysis," explains Paolo Salza, head of RINA's Marine Division Technical Department. "While existing rules cope well with the current series of projects, which essentially marry together existing technologies, we need a new framework which will allow for the advance technologies which will be deployed in future projects."

Tags: RINA