Overview
ISO 7061:2024 - Ships and marine technology - Aluminium shore gangways for seagoing vessels - specifies requirements and guidance for aluminium shore gangways carried on board ships. It covers design types, dimensions, materials, manufacturing quality, tests and inspection criteria to ensure a lightweight, convenient and safe means of access from ship to shore (and ship-to-ship under favourable conditions). The standard replaces the 2015 edition and updates test methods and marking to align with IMO guidance.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Types:
- Type A (decking plate) - flat topped decking with anti-slip steps; usable up to 30° inclination.
- Type B (arc-shaped steps) - arc-shaped load-bearing steps; usable up to 55° inclination.
- Dimensions:
- Overall length: minimum 2 m, incremental options up to and beyond 9 m.
- Net width: 600 mm minimum, up to 1 000 mm (increments of 50 mm on request).
- Step spacing: Type A - 300–400 mm longitudinally; Type B - 300–350 mm when horizontal.
- Handrail height: top handrail ≥ 1 000 mm above decking/step surface; two intermediate guard rails required.
- Stanchion spacing: ≤ 1 500 mm.
- Geometry: Type B arc degree when horizontal: 55°–65°.
- Design & construction: Guidance on side frames, cross-members, decking, steps, stanchions, handrails, toe-boards, lifting lugs, rollers/wheels and securing devices. Includes requirements for design loading and factor of safety.
- Materials & manufacture: Main materials referenced to a materials table (see standard). Emphasis on corrosion resistance and marine suitability for aluminium components.
- Testing & inspection: Type and individual acceptance tests (lifting, initial sag and deflection under load are specified); manufacturing tolerances, surface finish and marking requirements included.
- Limitations: Not intended to carry wheeled traffic (e.g., loaded trolleys).
Applications and users
ISO 7061:2024 is intended for anyone specifying, designing, manufacturing, certifying or operating aluminium shore gangways:
- Shipbuilders and naval architects specifying crew-access gangways
- Marine equipment manufacturers and fabricators
- Shipowners, ship operators and port operators responsible for safe embarkation/disembarkation
- Classification societies and inspection bodies performing acceptance tests and surveys
- Procurement teams seeking compliant gangways for seagoing vessels
Using ISO 7061 helps reduce risk, improve safety, standardize sizing and testing, and facilitate procurement and regulatory compliance.
Related standards and guidance
- IMO MSC.1/Circ.1331 (marking alignment noted in ISO 7061:2024)
- ISO/TC 8 (Technical Committee responsible for maritime safety standards)
Keywords: ISO 7061:2024, aluminium shore gangways, ships and marine technology, gangway dimensions, design loading, handrail height, marine safety, gangway testing.