Class revises CAP thickness criteria for CSR tankers

Lloyd’s Register (LR) has enhanced its condition assessment programme (CAP) thickness measurement analysis process for tankers built to common structural rules (CSR), in a move it said improved the consistency, transparency and predictability in CAP outcomes.

The change addresses concerns about variability in CAP results for CSR vessels and aligns thickness measurement analysis directly with the vessel’s original CSR design requirements, moving away from percentage-based acceptance criteria and adopting fixed, clearly defined thickness values.

LR said this meant a ship’s structural condition was assessed against the same engineering benchmarks used at the design stage. The revised approach reduces uncertainty for shipowners and operators when preparing for surveys and executing CAP.

Fixed thickness criteria supports clearer expectations ahead of a survey, noted the classification society, which it believes is a more effective long-term maintenance strategy, and improved the ability to manage asset integrity and expenditure over the life of the vessel.

For charterers and other stakeholders, LR believes the revised process improves confidence in the consistency and comparability of CAP ratings for CSR tankers, citing “more transparent data and predictable assessment outcomes” as a basis for evaluating vessel condition and associated risk.

Lloyd’s Register ship inspection and assessment services global manager Nigel Phillips said, “These enhancements reflect what our customers and the wider market have been telling us. Aligning CAP thickness assessment directly with CSR design intent removes ambiguity and delivers clearer, more predictable outcomes. It strengthens trust in CAP ratings and supports better decision-making across the tanker sector.”

LR said the enhanced CSR CAP thickness measurement analysis process is available to customers through its ship inspection and assessment services offering.