1. Reason for Revision

In order to support the commercialization of electric propulsion vessels, the revision aims to accept new technologies related to electric propulsion vessels, such as mobile power sources, within the system; to reorganize unreasonable standards that are difficult to apply in reality; to ensure fire and operational safety of electric propulsion vessels; and to reflect certain other previously revised matters in the "Electric Propulsion Vessel Standards".

2. Main Contents

A. Expansion of the scope of application of the notice (Article 3 and Article 18-1 of the draft).

Previously, the Standards were applied to lithium secondary battery vessels, but in order to accept a wider range of propulsion methods in the system, the revision aims to apply the Standards to electric propulsion vessels and to establish the criteria for their application to mobile power sources.

B. Reflection of the requirements for duplexing electric propulsion equipment (Article 5 (4) of the draft).

In accordance with international standards for duplexing electric propulsion equipment, such equipment is to be composed of two systems so that ships can maintain their propulsive power even if one system fails.

C. Ensuring the fire safety of electric propulsion vessels (Article 15 (7) of the draft).

In order to ensure fire safety in battery rooms, the revision establishes the basis for installing equipment integrating new technologies such as off-gas detectors and injection-type fire extinguishers.

D. Improvement of standards that are difficult to apply in reality, etc.

1) Previously, explosion-proof equipment was required to be installed in cases where there was a possibility of flammable gas being generated in the battery room. However, considering that currently there is no commercial explosion-proof air conditioner available for small vessels, the revision permits the installation of non-explosion-proof equipment provided that certain safety measures, such as a device or means for cutting off the electricity supplied to the battery room in the event of a fire, are put in place. (Article 6 Subparagraph 3 of the draft)

2) Considering that the degree of exposure to waterproofing and dustproofing risks may vary depending on the location where electric propulsion equipment is installed, and that there is no product among ship batteries that satisfies the sealed protection grade IP55, the revision allows IP44 to be applied to enclosed spaces on ships. (Article 14 of the draft)

3) Previously, risk assessments were conducted for all series of ships with the same drawings and shipyards, but the revision allows all or part of the risk assessments to be relaxed or omitted for these series of ships. (Attached Table 3 of the draft)