Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS) has implemented the Approval in Principle (AIP) service as part of a project to enhance the rules for the technical supervision during construction of ships and manufacture of materials and products for ships.
Under this service, RS reviews technical documentation for novel technological solutions. The scope of technical documentation is ranging from tender documents and technical design specification to draft designs, research and technological developments, as well as engineering analysis techniques.
The Approval in Principle service is intended to assist customers and developers of conceptual and innovative technological solutions in shipbuilding and ship operation with expert evaluation of the technical documentation at the initial design stage.
The documentation may be reviewed at the draft or conceptual design stage to assess whether the inherent technological solutions are applicable in principle, assess the specific actions required to obtain RS approval, and inform customers of the existing restrictions and conditions of applying the proposed new technological solutions based on RS engineering analysis and survey experience.
By collaborating with leading engineering companies, shipyards and equipment manufacturers, RS said it has gained considerable experience in providing services similar to AIP, in particular, while reviewing modern LNG cargo containment systems on gas carriers and certifying pod drives designed to operate in ice conditions, as well as the application of non-standard shaped hulls with a high ice class.
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