Overview
ISO 17907:2014 - Ships and marine technology - Single point mooring arrangements for conventional tankers - specifies technical requirements and test methods for shipboard equipment used with single point mooring (SPM) systems. The standard covers primary SPM components such as bow chain stoppers, bow fairleads, and pedestal rollers, and is applicable to tankers, gas carriers, and chemical vessels. ISO 17907 is intended to ensure safe, robust mooring interfaces between ships and SPM buoys or risers.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and arrangement
- General layout and installation guidance for SPM arrangements on tankers (figures and dimensional guidance).
- Bow chain stoppers
- SWL requirements by ship size: ≈200 t (≤100 000 DWT), ≈250 t (>100 000 to ≤150 000 DWT), ≈350 t (>150 000 DWT - typically with two stoppers).
- Minimum safety factor on yield: 2.0 × SWL.
- Operating force limit: ≤245 N (validated by lever/balance test using a 25 kg weight).
- Material and manufacturing: weldable cast, forged, or rolled steel; free from defects (cracks, sand holes, pores).
- Strength and operation tests: material inspection (chemical/physical), magnetic particle or ultrasonic inspection where applicable, and a 1-minute strength test at SWL.
- Bow fairleads
- Closed type with minimum opening 600 mm (width) × 450 mm (height).
- Strength to accommodate towline angles up to ±90° horizontal and ±30° vertical.
- Same material and non‑defect requirements as chain stoppers; 1-minute strength test at SWL.
- Pedestal rollers
- Must resist horizontal forces of at least 225 kN or the resultant from a 225 kN pick-up rope pull.
- Common diameters: Ø350, Ø400, Ø450.
- Strength test: 1-minute load and rotation check after unloading.
- Marking
- Clearly marked SWL and date or serial number of manufacture.
- Annexes
- Informative dimensional examples and types for chain stoppers, fairleads, and pedestal rollers.
Applications and who uses this standard
ISO 17907:2014 is used by:
- Ship designers and naval architects specifying SPM interfaces and foundations
- Shipbuilders and outfitters manufacturing/installing bow stoppers, fairleads, and rollers
- Manufacturers of mooring deck equipment ensuring compliance and test methods
- Classification societies, port engineers, shipowners/operators, and inspectors evaluating SPM readiness and safety
- Procurement and maintenance teams verifying SWL markings, tests, and material quality
Practical benefits include improved safety during offshore loading/unloading, harmonized equipment specifications for SPM connections, and clear test protocols to confirm structural integrity.
Related standards
Complementary guidance includes classification society rules, IMO recommendations for offshore mooring and loading, and other ISO standards and IEC/ISO directives on deck machinery, materials testing, and conformity assessment for marine equipment.