The Korean Register (KR) announced that it has developed a new class notation for the safe marine transportation of electric vehicles, as a result of its collaborative research with leading Korean shipping companies and shipyards.

In a statement, it said the new class notation, which is called 'AFP-C(EV)', was developed following cooperation with Korean shipyards and a joint research project conducted last year with Hyundai Glovis and G-Marine Service which sought to develop safety measures for vehicle carriers transporting electric vehicles.

"With an increasing number of electric vehicles being transported on vehicle carriers and some recent high-profile and serious onboard fires, the maritime industry's interest in fire safety for such voyages has increased dramatically," KR added.

Lack of "realistic guidelines"

It cited how the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and other related organizations have emphasized the need to develop safety regulations for the marine transport of electric vehicles.

However, the KR said that detailed regulations are still in the discussion stage, and "to date, no realistic guidelines have been issued."

KR said its newly developed 'AFP-C(EV)' will be assigned to vehicle carriers that meet specific requirements related to fire detection and fire extinguishing facilities, and the notation will reflect realistic safety requirements.

"Our newly launched class notation will help to improve safety onboard vessels carrying electric vehicles. KR will continue to provide high-quality technical services and contribute to marine safety using the results we have acquired from our collaboration with the maritime industry," said KIM Yeontae, executive vice president of KR's technical division.