Due to the increasing wish and requirement to outsource conventional carbon based fuel, reducing CO2, NOx, SOx emissions and other human and environmental harming substances related to the energy consumption and propulsion of ships, alternative or equivalent measures is implemented by the shipping companies on new and existing ships. As the market for these alternatives is new and ever changing, the development of guidelines and regulations for the approval of such has not followed in the same speed.

The purpose of this circular is to enlighten the approval process of alternative or equivalent energy sources on board Danish ships were there is no or minor guidelines and regulations for the design and consists of:

• footnotes
• a schematic overview and other requirements to the approval process
• definitions
• Appendixes, Guideline to a specific system – describing the requirements for approval

The appendixes shall be regarded as dynamic documents that will be revised, updated or deleted when assessed necessary - based on the general development on new regulations, standards etc. and on any new knowledge.

For the approval of alternative and/or equivalent energy sources, the IMO´s MSC.1/Circ. 1455 - GUIDELINES FOR THE APPROVAL OF ALTERNATIVES AND EQUIVALENTS AS PROVIDED FOR IN VARIOUS IMO INSTRUMENTS, must be used. Depending on the complexity - size and type of vessel - amount, size and type of energy source, the guideline and design process apply partly or fully1 by an assessment of The DMA.

It is the responsibility of the owner to establish and start the approval process according to this circular in the earliest start of the design phase of the vessel or system - with the RO or competent company/person to lead the design team. In addition, an initial start-up meeting with the DMA shall be initiated2.

All systems, components etc. of the alternative and/or equivalent energy source on all types of vessels must comply with relevant regulations and standards from a RO if developed.

The DMA shall be invited to participate in the design process and HAZID workshops. As The DMA is the approval part, The DMA can only participate as an observer. The DMA shall be kept duly informed of the design team’s work and conclusions of the preliminary risk assessment.

The DMA will by an assessment on basis of the preliminary result of the risk assessment and the leader of the design team´s recommendations, approve the further development of the project. The alternative design must be surveyed during implementation and commissioning on board the vessel by either The DMA or the RO.

A final survey and test on board the vessel by either or both The DMA and the RO, for the verification of the full implementation of the result and conclusion of the design team´s work shall be done. The DMA or the RO will issue a certificate and a statement of approval3 of the alternative and/or equivalent arrangement after approved final verification and test. Notification of the approved alternative or equivalent design shall be forwarded to the IMO and/or the EU-commission by The DMA.

The conclusion of the risk assessment must include the future scope of survey, maintenance etc. If, during the operation of the alternative system or energy source, it is established that additional measures must be taken to enhance or secure the level of safety, mitigating actions must be taken and the design team must process this in an additional risk assessment. Periodical survey of the system by The DMA or RO shall be according to the relevant regulation and certificate for which the system is equivalent - and what the conclusion in the risk assessment may establish.

1)  Examples of partly process:

• Small installations with some known experience in domestic vessels (cargo and passenger)
• Small installations with some known experience on cargo vessels in international trade
• Case by case assessment

Examples of full process:

• All installations with unknown technology
• Small installations with some known experience in all passenger ships and cargo ships of more than 500 GT in international trade were the purpose is to ad power to the main propulsion and/or emergency power and/or main power etc.
• Large installations on all vessels were the purpose is main propulsion and/or emergency power and/or main power etc.
• ase by case assessment

Table 2 in MSC.Circ.1455 can be used as a tool to assess the project category

2) Minimum topics at the initial meeting with The DMA:

• Project presentation, including purpose and description of the installation incl. vessel specifications, area of trade etc.
• Parties involved and presentation of the design team
• A project time table
• Regulations affected
• Preliminary assessment to an agreement of partly or fully process
• Division of approval between The DMA and RO(if any)

3) On board documentation requirements:

Before any trade can commence, all required certificates and documents, according to the MSC.1/Circ.1455, paragraph 7.2, shall be issued - and relevant statutory certificates affected by the equivalent or new installation shall be endorsed with the information of equivalents.

 In general, the following documentation should exist:

• certificates stating that the ship has an alternative and/or equivalency, including condition of approval, if any; and
• information on the alternative and/or equivalent design, comprising of the following:
  • scope of the analysis or design, including the critical design assumptions and critical design features;
  • description of the alternative and/or equivalent design and arrangements, including drawings and specifications;
  • list of IMO/EU/National regulations affected;
  • summary of the results of the engineering analysis and basis for approval; and
  • test, inspection and maintenance requirements.

When the submitter has supplied the Administration or RO with all required documentation, The Administration or RO delivers the following to the Submitter:

1. statement of approval of design basis;
2. certificates of approval with conditions as needed; and
3. other certificates.

Where appropriate, the details of onboard documentation are to be consistent with relevant Ship Construction File (SCF) requirements.