01/2025: New water on deck damage stability requirements for ro-ro passenger ships

Applicability of Directive 2023/946

Since 5 December 2024, the new Directive 2023/946 is applicable for new and existing ro-ro passenger ships engaged on international voyages that operate regularly to or from a port of an EU Member State, and which have never been certified in accordance with this directive or the previous Directive 2003/25/EC.

New ro-ro passenger ships certified to carry more than 1,350 persons

These ships are to comply with the specific damage stability requirements set out in Chapter II-1, Part B of SOLAS 2020.

New ro-ro passenger ships certified to carry 1,350 or fewer persons

These ships are to comply with the deterministic damage stability requirements of Directive 2003/25/EC, as outlined in Annex I, section A of Directive 2023/946, or (as an alternative) the specific damage stability requirements set out in Chapter II-1, Part B of SOLAS 2020 based on an increased required index R as outlined in Annex I, section B of Directive 2023/946.

Existing ro-ro passenger ships certified to carry more than 1,350 persons

Those ships which have never been certified in accordance with this Directive must comply with the specific damage stability requirements set out in Chapter II-1, Part B of SOLAS 2020, or (as an alternative) the deterministic damage stability requirements of Directive 2003/25/EC, as outlined in Annex I, section A of Directive 2023/946, in addition to those set out in Chapter II-1, Part B of SOLAS 2009.

Existing ro-ro passenger ships certified to carry 1,350 or fewer persons 

Ships which have never been certified in accordance with this Directive are to comply with the deterministic damage stability requirements of Directive 2003/25/EC, as outlined in Annex I, section A of Directive 2023/946, or (as an alternative) the specific damage stability requirements set out in Chapter II-1, Part B of SOLAS 2020 based on an increased required index R as outlined in Annex I, section B of Directive 2023/946.

What should shipowners and ship operators do now?

LR advises that ship owners and ship operators be aware that, as of 5 December 2024, ro-ro passenger ships intended to operate in EU ports on international voyages must comply with these new damage stability requirements.

How Lloyd’s Register can help

Lloyd’s Register can assist with guidance for the best approach to obtain compliance with Directive 2023/946. For further information or advice, please get in touch with your Lloyd’s Register account manager or statutorysupport@lr.org.