As you know, the Rules for the Survey and Construction of Steel Ships and relating Guidance were partly amended on 15 November 2004 based on IACS UR A2, which is specified for towing and mooring fittings and their hull structure. Effective date of these requirements is 1 January 2005.

IACS UR A2, which was submitted to IMO for a draft guideline which is referred to from SOLAS Chap.II-1 Reg.3-8 "Towing and Mooring Equipment", was discussed at the 48th session of IMO DE sub-committee (DE48) in February 2005. There were many technical comments, including industry comments, at DE48 and a draft guideline was drawn out with vastly amendment from UR A2, e.g. amendment of design load etc. After that, SOLAS Chap.II-1 Reg.3-8 was adopted by the Maritime Safety Committee at its 80th session (MSC 80), effective date of which is 1 January 2007, and the draft guideline was circulated as MSC/Circ.1175.

Accordingly, IACS decided that UR A2 should be withdrawn from the IACS Web Site and amended as soon as possible. Under the circumstances, NK has decided to suspend the Rules and Guidance related to UR A2.

Therefore, please be informed that the applications of the following amendments of rules and guidance have been suspended.

Rules and Guidance for which application has been suspended
1. 2.1.2-1(1)(z), 2.1.3-1(11), Table B3.1 "7 Towing and Mooring Arrangement plan" and Table B3.2 "Towing and Mooring Fittings", Part B of the Rules for the Survey and Construction of Steel Ships (2004 Amendment No.3)
2. 27.2, Part C of the Rules for the Survey and Construction of Steel Ships (2004 Amendment No.3)
3. 23.2, Part C of the Rules for the Survey and Construction of Steel Ships (2004 Amendment No.2)
4. C27.2, Part C of the Guidance for the Survey and Construction of Steel Ships
(2004 Amendment No.2)
5. Column "23.2" of Table CS, Part CS of the Guidance for the Survey and Construction of Steel Ships (2004 Amendment No.1)
(To be continued)