Ropax services

First choice for ropax and cruise-ferry classification

At the forefront of innovation, we have been instrumental in the development of increasingly sophisticated vessels over recent years. We provide unrivalled service through our global surveyor network and forge excellent relationships with our passenger ship clients.

At the forefront of innovation, we have been instrumental in the development of increasingly sophisticated vessels over recent years. We provide unrivalled service through our global surveyor network and forge excellent relationships with our passenger ship clients.

Our classification services – from design concept, through plan approval, construction and in-service survey, continue to benefit the worldwide ropax market.

New construction

From the initial concept we provide our clients with independent advice. For owners, there can be long periods of time between new build projects. At the same time, design, construction and operational requirements are constantly changing. This makes our assistance crucial in helping ensure ships are fit for purpose, ‘future- proof‘ and cost-effective.

The ropax ships currently on order to Lloyd’s Register class include:

• Spirit of Britain and Spirit of France, being built for P&O at STX Rauma, for delivery in January and September 2011. At 49,000 gt, these will be the largest Dover–Calais cross channel ferries and the first Lloyd’s Register classed ferries to meet the IMO’s ‘safe return to port’ requirements.

• Two 156-metre ro-ro passenger ferries being built for Scandlines at Volkswerft Stralsund yard in Germany, for delivery in 2012. They will operate on the Gedser Rostock route between Denmark and Germany and feature a propulsion system which can be adapted to LNG.

Existing ships

We also provide classification services to the existing ropax industry. Notable ferries and ro-ro passenger ships completed recently to Lloyd’s Register class include:

• Stena Hollandica (64,000 gt) and Stena Britannica (62,000 gt). These ice class ships were delivered in May and September 2010 at Nordic Yards in Wismar, Germany. Stena Hollandica is currently operating between Harwich and the Hook of Holland.

• Viking XPRS (35,918 gt), delivered in April 2009. This award-winning ice class ferry operates a fast service between Helsinki and Tallinn, Estonia, and has attracted increased numbers of passengers.

Value-added services

Pre-contract advice
Pre contract advice is key to delivering compliant design.

Safe return to port
The SOLAS ‘safe return to port’ regulation is a prime example. This came into force in July 2010 and represents a step change in safety in the event of fire or flooding. The requirements have a fundamental impact on the arrangement of spaces and systems for proposed designs.

Lloyd’s Register is leading the way in ‘safe return to port’ implementation. We have been instrumental in developing the requirements and are at the forefront of applying them to new designs and in-service needs.

Environmental services

There is a heightened focus on the environmental impact of shipping, driven by both regulations and stakeholder expectations. In particular, fuel efficiency and emissions issues are promoting greater interest in more efficient vessel design and alternative fuels such as LNG.

Tomorrow’s sustainable ship
Lloyd’s Register is committed to sustainable shipping, but we understand that environmental, social and economic considerations must be balanced. Through our strategic research agenda, we are addressing this challenge, focusing on areas such as recycling; materials; hull design; propulsion; and fuels.

Human factors
People are a major source of operational risk, but there are many techniques to improve management of the human element which can in turn improve efficiency. Through our human factors services and publications we are helping our clients incorporate this element into their operations.

Environmental Protection (EP) notation

Ship recycling (Green Passport)