Lloyd’s Register (LR) has released a new airborne noise emission notation (ABN) and ShipRight procedure to address increasing demand for a standard and methodology to control airborne noise emissions from ships.
The new notation establishes a set of limit levels for airborne noise emission from ships, in order to better monitor overall noise levels from ship calls. It also helps ports determine which and how many vessels can access the most noise sensitive areas of the port. It will also enable ports to specify ships require a certain ABN notation to stay in a noise sensitive area of the port, for example those locations near residential areas.
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In addition, the new ABN notation enables ship owners to showcase that their ships have controlled airborne noise emissions to obtain access to noise sensitive areas, like ports in city centres or natural sanctuaries.
Per Trøjgård Andersen, LR Principal Consultant – Noise & Vibration, stated:
LR is the first class society to have a notation on this subject. 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
Airborne noise levels raise similar challenges for inland waterways. Directive (EU) 2016/1629 sets out the maximum noise level from a ship in the EU when sailing and at berth, however, achieving the ABN notation will make sure that the ship complies with these requirements.
Specifically, the new notation defines five limit levels for the airborne noise emission:
- Super Quiet (SQ);
- Quiet (Q);
- Standard (S);
- Inland waterways (IW);
- Commercial (C).
It also describes how the compliance can be ensured at design stage by providing examples of how to calculate the expected noise levels.
