Condition Assessment Program (CAP)
DEMONSTRATE THE RELIABILITY OF YOUR AGING FLEET AND INCREASE YOUR COMMERCIAL EARNING POTENTIAL
Cargo owners and many of the largest charterers typically require a Condition Assessment Survey. Charterers prefer a CAP Grade of 1 or 2 to fix older vessels identified to carry their cargo.
The commercial opportunities for an older tanker, gas carrier, bulk carrier, and more recently, a containership and an offshore supply vessel without a satisfactory CAP rating, may be limited.
What is CAP?
The Condition Assessment Program is a voluntary service that provides an independent evaluation of the condition of a vessel from which third parties can assess the suitability of an asset for a charter based on its current condition as opposed to its age.
The program provides a charterer with a technical evaluation of the physical condition and maintenance of a vessel above the standard requirements for class. CAP is applicable to oil tankers and bulk carriers of 15 years of age and above, but may be used for other vessels at different ages.
The program includes a detailed survey of the vessel’s hull structure including verification of gaugings as well as extensive testing of the vessel’s machinery, equipment and cargo systems. This information, combined with a strength and fatigue engineering analysis, leads to a numeric rating being assigned to the vessel ranging from 1 (Very Good) to 4 (Unsatisfactory).
Interested in learning more about the benefits of ABS CAP? Watch the on-demand webinar.
Preparing for an ABS Condition Assessment Program (CAP) Survey
Condition Assessment Program Details
Assess physical condition and maintenance of vessel above the minimum requirements for class
Why CAP with Fatigue Assessment?
CAP is able to quickly and cost-effectively assess the cumulative impact of fatigue on a vessel’s critical structural components. The major charterers have introduced even tougher CAP standards as a requirement for charter. They demand that the CAP 1 or 2 ratings include a detailed fatigue assessment.
Condition Assessment Programme (CAP)
The Condition Assessment Programme (CAP) is an expertise on the technical ship’s condition independent from the classification. Depending on the request, CAP assessment may include the actual technical condition of hull, machinery, electrical installation, and cargo related system. It is an independent and thorough verification to rate the actual condition of the ship, based on detailed inspection and function testing, thickness measurements and strength calculation and performance testing.
The CAP is applicable to oil tankers and bulk carriers of 15 years of age and above, and may well be used for ships at other ages and for other types of ships.
Purpose
The purpose of CAP is to provide applicants with a document and statement of ship’s actual condition such as structural strength, machinery, and maintenance of ship’s life, etc., which could be used towards cargo owners and/or authorities in connection with entry into new charters or renewal of existing ones beyond expire dates.
The main purpose of CAP is to evaluate and report the vessel’s condition above minimum class standard. The scope for CAP is more comprehensive than for class surveys with respect to extent and analysis of thickness measurements, structural strength evaluation, and reporting. Although CAP inspections may be carried out at the same time with class surveys, and a joint CAP/Class team may be onboard, CAP is reported completely separate.
Benefits of CAP
Composition of CAP
CAP consists of two modules, one is CAP for hull structures (HCAP) and the other is CAP for machinery/cargo systems (MCAP).
Scale of Rating
CAP rating has to be justified basing on the actual technical condition of the ship. CAP rates the vessel in accordance with a rating scale from 1 (very good) to 4 (poor).
The results of condition assessment are clearly identified and the definitions corresponding to each rating are indicated below.
CAP-HULL RATING
CAP-MACHINERY/CARGO SYSTEM RATING
After the completion of the CAP, the certificate of CAP indicating the ship’s comprehensive rating (Overall Rating for CAP-HULL and/or CAP-MACHINERY / CARGO SYSTEM) is issued.
Condition Assessment Programme for Hull Structures (HCAP)
General requirements
Condition Assessment Programme for Hull Structures (HCAP) is to have a ship judged based on the actual condition of the hull structure, in general, HCAP is to include check of documents and
records onboard the ship, visual inspection of hull structural members, thickness measurement and analysis of TM, strength calculation and scale of rating.Hull inspection is normally to be carried out in dry dock.
The following documents and records are to be checked prior to the commencement of CAP survey:
Plans and documents required for strength assessment of hull structures:
The hull items assessed are:
Structural strength
Each tank/space assessment is based on ratings of the main structural elements i.e. fore transverse bulkhead, aft transverse bulkhead, side shell, longitudinal bulkhead, deck (deckhead), bottom, internal structure. Strength assessment of hull structures consists of three parts, i.e. longitudinal strength calculation and fatigue strength assessment (optional). The overall rating for each tank/space/area is based on the overall structural/survey average rating of each structural element. The main deck, bottom and ship sides are to be rated in a similar way as tanks/spaces.
Thickness measurement
Thickness measurement is to be carried out by a recognized thickness measurement company under the direction of CAP inspector.
The main purpose of the analysis of thickness measurements is to establish the extent of general corrosion for each structural element to be rated. A statistical analysis of thickness
diminutions will be carried out against original “as-built” scantlings.
Visual assessment of structural condition
The purpose of a visual inspection is to assess the extent of defects and local corrosion (including pitting, grooving, edge corrosion).
Void spaces are to be surveyed at least in the scope of the overall inspection. All fatigue critical details i.e. details identified in fatigue assessment calculations are to be close-up surveyed.
The visual inspection is divided into items:
The visual inspection rating is carried out based on the result of the above inspection. In general, the lowest of the cracking, local corrosion and deformation rating is decisive towards the final result of visual inspection rating.
Condition Assessment Programme for Machinery (MCAP)
General requirements
MCAP is to include a check of documents and records, visual inspection, function test, collection and measurement of machinery parameters, vibration measurement, oil sample analysis and rating.
The items of inspection for MCAP include main engine/generating set prime mover, propulsion system, boiler and pressure vessel, piping system and machinery piping system, electric/automatic
system, deck machinery and liquid cargo machinery and piping, etc.
Following documents are checked:
The documents required for check are also to include an order list or a list of machinery and electrical equipment, specifications of main engine/generating set prime mover, a sea trial report after
delivery, records of repair and maintenance, reports of oil sample analysis, a report of boiler water analysis and a list of spares/tools, etc.
Machinery, electrical installation and cargo related systems scope of the survey:
Photographic documentation reflecting the average condition is to be enclosed to the report.
CAP REPORTS
CAP hull report consists of:
The MCAP report at least consists of:
CAP CERTIFICATE
A CAP Certificate is issued after completion of the Condition Assessment Program.
The certificate will contain:
The certificate will give no period of validity
Condition Assessment Programme (CAP)
Can you easily prove the reliability of your ship?
Offering a way to demonstrate the operational reliability of your ships, regardless of their age, LR’s Condition Assessment Programme (CAP) highlights to charterers that the critical quality areas have been assessed and certified.
Overview
Most major wet and dry charterers require an independent appraisal of ships from a certain age they charter to help ensure that they meet recognised standards of quality. We have developed a condition assessment service that meets these requirements, providing you with an independent evaluation of the condition of your ship and a certificate and report to show to third parties as evidence.
Participation in our Condition Assessment Programme ultimately results in your ship acquiring an LR CAP rating. A ship that has been through the programme and achieved a high CAP rating is then easily identifiable as being well maintained, leading to preferential chartering opportunities and the potential for increased earnings.
What we offer
Our Condition Assessment Programme provides you with a complete view of your ship and addresses the risks of pollution, structural failure and machinery downtime. We cover hull structure assessment, machinery assessment and cargo systems assessment.
Our hull structure assessment may include a fatigue assessment, which can identify specific areas or locations to be inspected. Our machinery and cargo inspections are combined in a single operational voyage that culminates in a cargo discharge. For bulk carriers, cargo gear and deck fittings are tested and examined as necessary.
We calculate ratings for each of our programme assessments, ranging from 1 (high) to 4 (low), and a set of comprehensive reports and associated certificates are then issued to you upon the completion of each stage.
What are the benefits?
If your ship attains a favourable CAP rating of 1 or 2, you can benefit from increased commercial opportunities because charterers can easily appreciate that your ship is a reliable choice.
The CAP rating your ship acquires will also offer an indication to prospective purchasers and financial institutions that your ship has been well maintained, and this can help maximise its residual value.
Our condition assessment procedure also includes inspections that can identify areas of deficiency. An early identification of these areas provides you with the opportunity for targeted maintenance, which in turn can reduce the risk of unplanned downtime and increase the time available for your ship to be chartered.
Why choose LR?
Our extensive experience of undertaking CAP surveys has resulted in our Condition Assessment Programme being the preferred option for many major charterers.
We are focused on helping you maintain an uninterrupted trading pattern that maximises the revenue from your ship. By combining our CAP survey with your ship’s structural survey, we offer minimal disruption to your operational schedule and our set of comprehensive reports and associated certificates is issued well within the three-month timeframe permitted by major charterers.
We prepare separate reports covering the hull, fatigue, and machinery and cargo systems, with the aim of getting you the critical hull CAP rating as soon as possible – usually within a few weeks of the survey. This can enable you to secure a charter based on the hull CAP rating alone earlier than might otherwise be possible.
Condition Assessment Program (CAP)
Condition Assessment Program (CAP) is a supplement to classification procedure of the Register intended for assessment and analysis of actual condition of ship’s hull structures, mechanical installation, machinery, devices, systems and electrical equipment. CAP is a tool for quality assessment of the ship and ship’s elements, irrespective of age in accordance with the established rating system.
CAP may be carried out for the following groups of items:
Ship hull (HULL group);
Propulsion plant, machinery, arrangements, systems, including cargo system and electrical equipment of the ship (MACHINERY, SYSTEMS group).
CAP results are used by insurance companies, cargo terminals, charterers and shipowners.
The Register assesses the actual condition of ship (or its elements) using the unified CAP1 to CAP4 rating scale (rating system).
CAP1 is the maximum rating corresponding to “very good” actual condition of ship (or ship’s components and elements).
CAP2 corresponds to “good” actual condition of ship (or ship’s components and elements).
CAP3 corresponds to “satisfactory” actual condition of ship (or ship’s components and elements).
CAP4 corresponds to “poor” actual condition of ship (or ship’s components and elements).
CAP is carried out by the Register at the Request of a shipowner on a reimbursement basis for oil tankers, chemical tankers, gas carriers and oil bulk carriers. CAP may be applied for the RS class ships in service, as well as for transfer of the ship to RS class and for ACS class ships.
Based on the CAP results, a Certificate for completion of Condition Assessment Program (CAP) is issued and transferred through the shipowner to the ship according to Form 3.1.12 and accompanied by a report.
RS updated Recommendations on Condition Assessment Program (CAP)
Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS) has published the updated Recommendations on Condition Assessment Program (CAP).
A new version of the Recommendations contains the detailed description of the assessment criteria of all components of ship’s hull structures, machinery and systems, criteria of the CAP rating scale and descriptive notations based on the survey results, specifies the requirements to fatigue strength calculation of hull structures and determination of residual service life of a ship. The scope of records to be submitted to the customer upon the service rendering has been substantially expanded.
The requirements of the leading domestic and international oil and gas companies have been implemented while preparing a new version of the Recommendations. The RS CAP service is recognized, inter alia, by Oil Majors Petronas and LUKOIL.
For customers’ convenience, the Recommendations contain the detailed information on the CAP operations executed by the Register (including the due dates and the RS Branch Offices in charge), as well as the complete list of information submitted by the shipowner. Special section related to CAP service is available on the RS website.
CAP services are intended for independent assessment and analysis of actual condition of ship’s hull structures, mechanical installation, machinery, devices, systems and electrical equipment. Based on the survey results, the relevant rating scale CAP1 to CAP4 is assigned to oil tankers, chemical tankers, gas carriers and oil bulk carriers. For underwriters, cargo terminals, charterers and shipowners high CAP rating scale is a documentary evidence of ship’s operational safety regardless of its age. The available CAP1 and CAP2 rating scale enhances the ship commercial use and for a number of companies is a mandatory requirement during the vetting inspections of the ships engaged in terminal operations.
Review of the ship’s documents and history of technical operation, performance of survey and measurement of technical parameters, ship’s strength assessment, as well as fatigue strength analysis within the CAP framework assist in early troubleshooting and drawing-up of scheduled maintenance plans that may extend the ship’s service life, reduce the risks of unscheduled downtime and improve safe operation of a ship.
