Application

This standard covers suitable requirements to portable offshore units (POUs), see [1.4.3], with respect to design, manufacturing, testing and certification.

Guidance note 1:

Offshore containers according to the definition in [1.4.4] should always be certified according to DNV-ST-E271. Units which are neither portable offshore units nor offshore containers accordingly will not be certified to these standards. In cases where it is not obvious if a design is a portable offshore unit or an offshore container DNV will decide whether the design can be certified to DNV-ST-E271 or DNV-ST-E273 or neither of these.

It is the intention that a POU that is certified by DNV according to this standard could be safely sea transported and lifted offshore including subsea (see [3.11]) anywhere in the world. Standardized frames/skids used for sea transport only may also be certified as a POU, see [3.3.3].

This standard covers the POU’s main structure, supports for any permanent equipment and features important for the functionality during the transport phase.

Guidance note 2:

Structural strength etc. related to the in-place use of e.g. equipment mounted in the POU is not covered.

The intention is that POUs shall meet the following requirements: Be safe in use with regard to:

— life

— environment

— hazard to the vessel/installation.

Be suitable for single or repeated use in applicable cases through choice of:

— material

— protection, and

— ease of repair and maintenance.

It shall be noted that this standard covers only the POU design and it is the responsibility of the transport/ installation contractor to ensure that all handling is carried out safely with due consideration to applicable HSE requirements.