DNV 2.7-1 Offshore Container
Working on offshore platforms is not an easy job. Workers are carrying, piling, and moving goods in difficult conditions like heavy waves, salt spray, and wind load – conditions that standard shipping containers are not meant to withstand. This is exactly why the offshore industry depends on a special certification: the DNV 2.7-1 offshore container standard. In this piece, we will reveal what the standard demands, why it is important for offshore operators, and the characteristics of the field performance of a well-made DNV 2.7-1-certified offshore container.
DNV 2.7-1 refers to an offshore container, a portable cargo container that can be used multiple times for the lifting, and transfer of goods between different vessels and offshore structures as a result of either having an established base (land-based), or an established waterway (ocean). This standard has been updated many times since its original publication in 1989; the latest update is DNV ST E 271. Per the technical standards of DNV itself, the document specifies the requirements of manufacturing, testing, marking, and periodic inspections of new-build as well as in-service offshore containers.
This standard is also very close to ISO 10855 which is the international standard counterpart for offshore container design. Some reference materials about the regulation mention that the DNV 2.7-1 is completely compatible with EN 12079 parts 1 and 2 which deal with offshore container structure and lifting sets, respectively. Because of this, if a product goes through DNV 2.7-1 certification, it can most likely meet European and international offshore handling requirements simultaneously.
Regular ISO shipping containers are designed mostly for stacking heavy loads and road or rail transportation. They are not designed to withstand the kind of dynamic lifting forces, wave-induced shocks, or multiple crane transfers in open-sea situations. The new DNV 2.7-1 certified offshore container is the one that closes this difference. Here are the main distinctions:
| Criteria | Standard ISO Container | DNV 2.7-1 Offshore Container |
| Lifting test | Not required | Mandatory dynamic and static lift testing |
| Structural frame | Stacking-focused | Reinforced outer frame with welded pad eyes |
| Periodic inspection | Not mandated | Required at regular intervals per ISO 10855-3 |
| Certifying body | None | DNV, BV, LR, or equivalent classification society |
The containers manufactured offshore in accordance with DNV 2.7-1 generally have a very strong steel frame, a rustproof surface finish and certified lifting points suitable for offshore use. Some of the most commonly used options are:
The following table presents an overview of the standard features and specifications of a 20ft offshore container produced as this standard.
| Parameter | Specification |
| External Size (L×W×H) | 6,058 × 2,438 × 2,591 mm |
| Internal Size (L×W×H) | 5,888 × 2,330 × 2,257 mm |
| Inside Cubic Capacity | 30.7 cu.m |
| Max Gross Weight | 15,000 kg |
| Tare Weight (nominal) | 3,000 kg |
| Maximum Payload | 12,000 kg |
Although the main function of an offshore container is carrying goods, certified units are also modified to act as temporary labs, control consoles, cable boxes, and even small workshops on oil and gas platforms. A lot of operators also have certified apparatus in their offshore container fleet, for example, a generator container for providing backup power or an ROV control container for supporting subsea operations. Connecting these certified units allows a platform to standardize on equipment that has already successfully undergone offshore lifting and structural testing.
A marine logistics contractor that is supporting a North Sea platform was using older offshore containers which, following a periodic inspection, were found to have corrosion on the frames and the pad eyes had wear. The problem was to quickly find replacement units with valid DNV 2.7-1 documentation before the contractor’s next supply run. MEOX provided a set of hot-dip galvanized 20ft offshore containers, each one equipped with DNV-rated lifting slings and all the certification documents. The products were handed over within the contractor’s shipping time frame, and an independent inspection verified that the units conformed to DNV-ST-E271 and ISO 10855 standards before use. Within the first twelve months of offshore operation, the contractor did not experience any lifting or structural problems.
What is the difference between DNV 2.7-1 and ISO 10855?
DNV’s DNV 2.7-1 is the source of DNV’s certification standard. ISO 10855 global standard shows offshore container national standards and vessel/container requirements similar to DNV’s DNV 2.7-1. Other than in rare instances, containers certified as DNV 2.7-1 will also comply with the national and international container requirements (as described in ISO 10855) and EN 12079. The reason for this conformity is that the three standards are designed to be very similar, if not identical.
How often does a DNV 2.7-1 offshore container need inspection?
The frequency of conducting the periodic inspections is typically defined by ISO 10855-3 and is normally between 12 months and 30 months based on how the container has been operated and the requirements of the certifier; however, operators must also consult the specific inspection frequency that is documented on the unit certificate.
Can a standard shipping container be upgraded to DNV 2.7-1 certification?
In most cases, the answer is ‘no’. To get certified based on DNV 2.7-1, a purpose-built frame is a must, with certified pad eyes and design calculations being made available during manufacturing. Retrofitting a regular container hardly ever meets the structural testing criteria, so a newly built and certified offshore container is generally the safer and more practical option.
Offshore lifting is a delicate operation that needs a high level of accuracy, so not only paper certification but also component quality are significant factors. When you are analyzing suppliers with offshore containers certified based on DNV 2.7-1, you must not forget to ask for their third-party inspection reports, welding skills certificates, and evidence of prior offshore deployments. Our items at MEOX are manufactured to DNV-ST-E271 and ISO 10855 specifications and pre-shipment, we provide complete certifications.
Contact our team for a quote if your offshore platform or vessel calls for offshore containers with certified lifting compliance.
Disclaimer: The figures, sizes, and materials mentioned in this post are the ones used in MEOX’s own offshore container products. Specifications, materials, and technical data may change from one order to another and should be verified with MEOX before purchase.
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