Application

This standard DNVGL-ST-E273 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 2.7-1.

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 GL will decide whether the design can be certified to DNV 2.7-1 or DNVGL-ST-E273 or neither of these.

It is the intention that a POU that is certified by DNV GL 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.

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.