
The new IACS Common Structural Rules for Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers (CSR BC & OT) will be replacing the existing Common Structural Rules for Double Hull Oil Tankers (CSR-OT) and Common Structural Rules for Bulk Carriers (CSR-BC).
What is CSR BC & OT?
It is a comprehensive and consistent rule set which will set the standard for oil tankers and bulk carriers. The new rule set consists of two main parts: The first is a common part covering general hull requirements applicable to both ship types, such as wave loads, hull girder strength, buckling and fatigue requirements. The second part covers ship-type specific requirements only applicable to bulk carriers or oil tankers. The rule application has not changed from CSR-OT and CSR-BC. The rules will also comply with SOLAS II-1 Regulation 3-10 “Goal-based ship construction standards for bulk carriers and oil tankers” (GBS).
For which vessel types and sizes is the CSR BC & OT applicable?
CSR BC & OT applies to:
- Tankers for oil and oil product, with length 150m or above
- Bulk carriers with length of 90m or above
Excluded by the CSR are: Ore carriers, open hatch bulk carriers without hopper and top side tanks, OBOs, self-unloaders and some other specialized bulk carriers
Key features of the CSR BC & OT compared to CSR-OT and CSR-BC
- Extended verification scope, including FE analysis of all cargo holds
- More transparent and consistent requirements, including technical background
- Improved load model/formulations based on direct wave load analysis
- Enhanced fatigue standard, including detail design standard
- Hull girder buckling, also including lateral pressure and the combination with shear stress
- Hull girder ultimate limit state assessment, including damaged condition
- Compliance with IMO Goal Based Standards (GBS)
- Increased design grab weight for Panamax and Capesize vessels (Applicable only for Bulk Carriers)