Lloyd’s Register Launches Shipping Noise Notation

Maritime class society Lloyd’s Register (LR) announced March 29 that it has released a new airborne noise emission notation to meet what it says is “increasing demand for a standard and methodology to control airborne noise emissions from ships.”

The new notation defines a set of limit levels for airborne noise emission from ships. This enables ports to better monitor overall noise levels from ship calls. It will assist ports in determining which and how many ships can access the most noise-sensitive areas of the port. It will also allow ports to specify that ships require a certain notation to stay in a noise-sensitive area of the port, for example those locations close to residential areas.

The company says the new notation enables ship owners to demonstrate that their vessels have controlled airborne noise emissions to gain access to noise sensitive areas, such as ports in city centers or natural sanctuaries.

“LR is the first-class society to have a notation on this subject,” said Per Trøjgård Andersen, LR principal consultant-noise and vibration. “It will assist ports and shipowners in controlling and verifying airborne noise emissions, a field in which LR is at the forefront of technical development. Several industry partners have helped with the development of the notation, including yard representatives and port operators, and LR would like to thank them all for their valuable contributions and support.”

European Union directives specify maximum allowable noise levels from ships in the EU when sailing and at berth. Earning the airborne noise notation will ensure that the ship complies with these requirements.

The new notation defines five limit levels: super quiet (SQ),  quiet (Q),  standard (S), inland waterways (IW) and commercial (C).

The notation also describes how the compliance can be ensured at design stage by giving examples of how to calculate the expected noise levels.