Navigating Shipbuilding Excellence: A Guide to Essential Standards for Marine Safety and Innovation

Embarking on a new era of shipbuilding requires more than robust engineering. With digital transformation, sustainability, and artificial intelligence reshaping the maritime landscape, adherence to international standards is now crucial for safety, efficiency, and future readiness. In this guide, we break down four core ISO standards that provide a reliable framework for ship operators, builders, and innovators—ensuring quality, safety, and productivity in marine operations, while supporting new technologies like AI for operational scaling and security.

Overview / Introduction

The modern shipbuilding industry is at the crossroads of tradition and technology. From protecting hulls against invasive marine organisms to ensuring safe pilot embarkation, today’s marine structures must stand up to both environmental and operational challenges. As shipping companies and shipbuilders invest in smarter systems, digital twins, and AI-enabled predictive maintenance, the role of international standards becomes more significant than ever. These standards not only underpin physical safety and performance but also create a foundation for interoperable, scalable, and secure maritime systems.

What you'll learn in this article:

• How specific shipbuilding standards support safety, efficiency, and environmental stewardship
• The concrete requirements and benefits of international standards for marine technology
• Why following these guidelines is essential for digitalization, AI implementation, and global compliance
• Practical steps to adopt, implement, and benefit from these standards

By understanding and applying these standards, your organization can minimize risks, stay compliant with international regulations, and position itself at the forefront of maritime innovation.

Detailed Standards Coverage

ISO 21716-2:2020 - Laboratory Bioassay for Marine Anti-Fouling Paints (Barnacles)

Ships and marine technology – Bioassay methods for screening anti-fouling paints – Part 2: Barnacles

Ship hulls constantly threaten to become ecosystems for barnacles and other fouling organisms. Anti-fouling paints reduce drag, improve fuel efficiency, and protect sensitive environments from the translocation of invasive species. ISO 21716-2:2020 specifies a laboratory method to evaluate these coatings, focusing on barnacle cyprid larvae—the life stage at which barnacles settle.

This test is indispensable for R&D teams and paint manufacturers, providing reproducible, objective data to screen new paint formulas before costly field trials. By following standardized methods, you can reliably compare the effectiveness of paints, supporting faster innovation cycles and regulatory approvals. The laboratory approach—using triangular prisms and controlled flow-through seawater systems—assesses the difference in settlement rates between treated and control surfaces, with built-in statistical methods for significance.

Whether you’re developing biocide-free coatings or integrating data analytics and AI to optimize vessel performance, using such quantifiable testing methodologies is essential for sustainability and compliance.

Key highlights:

• Objective test method for anti-fouling efficacy using barnacle cyprid larvae
• Detailed procedures for specimen preparation, test apparatus, and environmental controls
• Statistically robust analysis to support R&D and regulatory compliance

Access the full standard:View ISO 21716-2:2020 on iTeh Standards

ISO 24045:2021 - Adjustable Roller-Type Chain Stoppers for Ships

Ships and marine technology – Adjustable roller-type chain stoppers

Anchoring is fundamental to ship safety, and adjustable roller-type chain stoppers play a pivotal role in securing a vessel at rest. ISO 24045:2021 sets comprehensive requirements for the design, structure, and performance of these mechanical components, addressing everything from strength and safety to convenient operation.

With increasing ship sizes and evolving anchor technologies, standardized stoppers ensure interoperability, prevent mechanical failure, and protect both crew and equipment. The standard details the structural features (including support, rollers, chain guide grooves, and levers), accepted material choices, and ensures devices can withstand the immense load of modern anchor chains.

Manufacturers and shipbuilders benefit from clear acceptance and marking protocols, while operators are assured of safe, reliable anchoring—vital for vessel security in port and at sea. For digital ship systems, adhering to these physical standards ensures that automated anchoring and remote monitoring can interface seamlessly and operate within safe design limits.

Key highlights:

• Ensures 80% of anchor chain breaking load is safely sustained
• Specifications for design, operation, user safety, and marking
• Supports compliance with modern digital monitoring and automation systems

Access the full standard:View ISO 24045:2021 on iTeh Standards

ISO 24136:2021 - Specifications for Pilot Ladder Winch Reels

Ships and marine technology – Pilot ladder winch reels

Safe pilot transfer is a cornerstone of maritime operations. ISO 24136:2021 establishes the design and performance criteria for pilot ladder winch reels—critical components that help deploy, retrieve, and store pilot ladders used for boarding personnel. Covering winch reels with hydraulic, pneumatic, electric, or manual drive, the standard ensures compatibility with ladders conforming to ISO 799-1 and explicitly prohibits use for ‘man lifting’ tasks to safeguard against misuse.

The standard meticulously details the requirements for mechanical design, performance verification (including load and static strength tests), onboard installation, and marking. By adopting these requirements, shipbuilders and operators can guarantee the safety and reliability of pilot transfer operations. In the digital era, integrating winch reels that meet these standards allows for automated logging, predictive maintenance, and remote safety monitoring—key considerations for smart ship systems.

Key highlights:

• Defines structural and functional requirements for winch reels
• Mandates rigorous acceptance testing for holding capacity
• Aligned with safety regulations for personnel transfer

Access the full standard:View ISO 24136:2021 on iTeh Standards

ISO 799-2:2021 - Maintenance and Inspection of Pilot Ladders

Ships and marine technology – Pilot ladders – Part 2: Maintenance, use, survey, and inspection

The safe embarkation and disembarkation of pilots and crew depend on the integrity of pilot ladders. ISO 799-2:2021 builds upon design specifications by outlining essential procedures for the ongoing inspection, maintenance, use, and storage of pilot ladders.

This standard is designed for ship masters, officers, and maintenance crews, providing proven methods for pre-use checks, interval-based inspections (including by authorized personnel and classification societies), and maintenance protocols (such as allowable step replacements and withdrawal criteria). It also addresses record management for compliance and best practice, reinforcing the ladder’s role as a safety-critical asset.

With the digitization of maintenance systems, aligning inspection routines with this standard enables automated tracking, digital checklists, and transparent compliance records—elevating both operational safety and regulatory confidence.

Key highlights:

• Mandates regular, systematic ladder inspection and maintenance
• Provides clear guidance on repairs, withdrawals, and record-keeping
• Supports safety risk assessments, training, and regulatory compliance

Access the full standard:View ISO 799-2:2021 on iTeh Standards

Industry Impact & Compliance

Why Shipbuilding Standards Matter in the Digital Age

The shipbuilding industry faces dynamic challenges: from increasingly complex regulatory landscapes to demands for environmental sustainability, and from the integration of artificial intelligence to the automation of shipboard equipment. These realities make standards not just regulatory tick-boxes, but critical business enablers:

• Consistent Safety: Reliable, standards-driven design and operation builds a safer environment for crew, pilots, and cargo—reducing the risk of accidents and operational disruptions.
• Operational Productivity: Clear guidelines for testing, maintenance, and mechanical functions eliminate guesswork, sustain uptime, and support predictive maintenance strategies.
• Scalability & Integration: With AI and advanced data analytics transforming ship operations, standards offer a common framework for integrating digital solutions without compromising safety or performance.
• Sustainability: Environmental protection via anti-fouling measures not only meets legal mandates but also aligns with global sustainability goals and protects vessel efficiency.
• Regulatory Confidence: Proactive compliance with international standards protects against port state control detentions, insurance claims, and reputational risk.

Key compliance considerations include:

• Frequent audits and record-keeping for safety-critical equipment
• Integration of standards-based routines in fleet management and digital platforms
• Training of personnel according to the latest inspection and operational best practices

Implementation Guidance

Best Practices for Adopting Shipbuilding and Marine Standards

Implementing international standards can seem daunting, especially when integrating them into fast-paced shipbuilding projects or complex fleets. Here’s how organizations can approach this effectively:

1. Gap Assessment: Begin by mapping your current processes, equipment, and documentation against standard requirements. Identify areas needing upgrades, retraining, or documentation alignment.
2. Integration with Digital Systems: For smart ships, integrate standards-based inspections and maintenance intervals with your computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) or fleet management platform. Enable automated alerts, digital checklists, and real-time compliance monitoring.
3. Personnel Training: Ensure crew, engineers, and maintenance teams are trained not just on the “what”, but on the “why” of each standard—using scenario-based learning for inspections, maintenance, and emergency procedures.
4. Supplier and OEM Partnerships: Work closely with suppliers of paints, anchor gear, and winch reels to verify compliance with the relevant ISO standards before procurement.
5. Documentation and Record-Keeping: Digital records should be comprehensive, easily retrievable, and mapped to equipment or asset identifiers to support audits or incident investigations.
6. Continuous Improvement: Stay updated with new standard editions, and regularly review incidents, near misses, and audit findings to refine internal practices.

Resources for Organizations

• Dedicated sections on iTeh Standards for up-to-date publications and implementation guides
• Online training modules for crew and technical managers
• Collaborative platforms for sharing best practices within industry consortia

Conclusion / Next Steps

International standards are the backbone of safe, reliable, and forward-looking shipbuilding. They bridge the gap between traditional craftsmanship and cutting-edge digitalization—enabling shipbuilders, owners, and operators to:

• Protect crew and cargo, while supporting their environmental responsibilities
• Harness automation, AI, and predictive analytics within a secure, standards-driven framework
• Reduce downtime and insurance costs through proactive maintenance and verifiable compliance
• Confidently scale operations and introduce new technologies knowing their core systems meet the world’s strictest requirements

For maritime professionals, the next step is clear: Integrate these standards into every facet of your shipbuilding projects and operational routines. Stay up to date with evolving guidance, leverage digital tools for automated compliance, and always prioritize safety and sustainability. Ready to take action? Explore the detailed standards and implementation resources at iTeh Standards today, and future-proof your maritime operations.

Reference List of Standards

• ISO 21716-2:2020: Ships and marine technology – Bioassay methods for screening anti-fouling paints – Part 2: Barnacles

  View ISO 21716-2:2020 on iTeh Standards

• ISO 24045:2021: Ships and marine technology – Adjustable roller-type chain stoppers

  View ISO 24045:2021 on iTeh Standards

• ISO 24136:2021: Ships and marine technology – Pilot ladder winch reels

  View ISO 24136:2021 on iTeh Standards

• ISO 799-2:2021: Ships and marine technology – Pilot ladders – Part 2: Maintenance, use, survey, and inspection

  View ISO 799-2:2021 on iTeh Standards