DNV standards · offshore lifting

Four frequently referenced DNV documents — what each is for, and why the nominated edition still matters.

DNV Standards for Offshore Lifting

A practical map of the DNV documents commonly used for lifting appliances, marine operations, analysis and heave-compensating systems, with the applicable edition and certification deliverables confirmed from the project basis.

By Tord Martinsen & Peter Wang · April 2026 · Reviewed August 2026 · 7 min read

DNV standards and recommended practices are commonly referenced in offshore lifting and heave-compensation projects. Which documents apply depends on the equipment, intended installation, marine operation, class and flag basis, client specification and contract-nominated editions.

This overview positions four frequently referenced DNV documents. It does not imply that all four apply to every compensator or that they replace other class rules, statutory requirements, regional standards or project specifications.

Practical application: see product / system design and engineering studies and analysis for a project-specific standards and certification map.

How the documents are positioned

Frequently referenced DNV documents, their stated scope and possible project role.
Document	Publicly stated scope	Possible project role	For compensated lifts
DNV-ST-0378First issued 2016 · predecessor 2.22 · verify current/nominated edition	Offshore and platform lifting appliances within the document scope	Applicable design and certification basis for the equipment category	One possible hardware standard; confirm scope and deliverables
DNV-ST-N001Current public catalogue: 2023-12 · first issued 2016	Marine operations and marine warranty	Operation-specific requirements and MWS basis where nominated	The project operation basis; no values reproduced here
DNV-RP-N1032017-07 · amended 2021-09	Simplified formulations for marine-operation design loads	Methods selected for the actual operation and validity limits	Analysis input where nominated; not a universal coefficient table
DNV-RP-N2022024-06	Heave-compensating systems	System design, performance, validation and risk framework	The HCS-specific framework where nominated
DNV-ST-E271 / E2732.7-1 offshore containers · 2.7-3 portable units	The lifted equipment — containers, baskets, skid-mounted units	Structure, padeyes, lifting sets, certification, marking and periodic inspection of CCUs and portable offshore units	What certifies the cargo hanging under the hook

Certifying hardware? Check ST-0378 applicability and the agreed certification scheme Defining the marine-operation basis? ST-N001 where nominated Calculating marine-operation loads? RP-N103 where nominated (and consider RP-N202 for the compensator system)

A CONSTELLATION lift study can document the approved hydrodynamic inputs, compensator model, response results and project-specific screening criteria. RP-N103 or RP-N202 forms part of that basis only where nominated.

DNV-ST-0378 — Offshore and Platform Lifting Appliances

Role. DNV-ST-0378 is used for offshore and platform lifting appliances within its defined scope. Applicability to a heave compensator depends on the compensator’s function, integration, equipment category, intended installation and the class/statutory and contractual basis.

Certification evidence. A project may require design approval, Type Approval, fabrication survey, testing and a product or unit deliverable in combinations set by the nominated edition and certification scheme. Type Approval does not by itself certify every delivered unit or approve a particular installation.

Values withheld. Material inspection-document classes, NDT extent and proof-load factors are not reproduced here because they must be taken from the contract-nominated edition and approved certification matrix for the actual category.

DNV-ST-N001 — Marine Operations and Marine Warranty

Scope. DNV’s public catalogue lists ST-N001 edition 2023-12 and describes a scope including load-out, construction afloat, voyages and installation/removal, as well as marine operations during development and decommissioning. It is not limited to the offshore lift itself.

Project use. Where nominated, ST-N001 provides the marine-operation and marine-warranty basis. The applicable dynamic-load method, environmental criteria, reference period, slack/snap treatment and MWS review scope must be read from the contract-nominated edition and project addenda.

This overview does not reproduce factor bands, minimum-tension values or universal weather-window criteria.

DNV-RP-N103 — Modelling and Analysis of Marine Operations

Scope and edition. DNV’s public catalogue lists RP-N103 edition 2017-07, amended 2021-09. Its stated objective is to provide simplified formulations for establishing design loads used in the planning and execution of marine operations.

Project use. Select the model, force components, coefficients, validity limits and outputs for the actual operation using the contract-nominated edition. This overview does not reproduce coefficient values or present a short list of analysis methods as universally prescribed.

DNV-RP-N202 — Heave Compensating Systems

Scope and edition. DNV’s public catalogue lists RP-N202 edition 2024-06. It provides a framework for design, verification, procurement and operation of heave-compensating systems, including terminology, applicability during operational phases, key design parameters, performance, validation and typical risks.

Project use. RP-N202 does not create automatic operating credit. Any claimed reduction in response or wider operating range must be demonstrated for the project model and validated equipment envelope, then accepted under the nominated project basis.

How heave compensators are certified

A certification plan for a compensator is project-specific. Define:

the intended installation, equipment category, class/statutory basis and nominated standards and editions;
the required design approval, Type Approval and application-specific verification;
the approved material, traceability, welding and NDT matrix;
the FAT, pressure, safety-function and load-test programme with witness points;
the product, unit, survey and project deliverables required by the contract.

Do not treat `DNV product certificate or DNV Type Approval` as interchangeable end points. A Type Approval covers a defined type or design envelope; unit and installation evidence remain as required by the applicable scheme.

Adjacent standards

Other standards and regulatory instruments may apply alongside the DNV documents above. Selection is project-specific.

SOLAS II-1/3-13 — in force from 1 January 2026 for defined onboard lifting appliances, anchor-handling winches and loose gear, subject to its application provisions and exemptions. DNV maps in-scope appliance types across ST-0377, ST-0378 and ST-0498.
MSC.1/Circ.1662 and MSC.1/Circ.1663 — IMO implementation guidelines for anchor-handling winches and lifting appliances.
Class, flag, client and regional standards — as required by the host vessel or unit, intended use and contract.

Confirm the flag Administration, vessel or unit status, equipment function, installation date and any SOLAS exemptions before choosing a certification path.

DNV lifting standards — frequently asked

What replaced DNV 2.22?

DNVGL-ST-0378 is in the successor document lineage, now carrying the DNV prefix. That lineage does not make editions or certificates interchangeable; check the governing contract, original certificate and nominated current document.

Are DNVGL and DNV document codes the same?

They identify the same document lineage across branding eras, but amendments and reissues can change requirements. Preserve the full code, edition and amendment in every project citation rather than assuming identical technical content.

Which DNV standard applies to a heave compensator?

There is no universal four-document answer. Applicability depends on the compensator configuration, intended installation, marine operation, class and flag basis, client specification and contract. ST-0378, ST-N001, RP-N103 and RP-N202 may play different roles where nominated.

What is the minimum dynamic load factor under DNV?

This overview does not publish one. The applicable factor or analysis method must be taken from the contract-nominated standard and edition for the specific operation and load category, with its complete clause applicability.

Do compensated lifts automatically get credit under DNV rules?

No automatic credit should be assumed. A project analysis must model the compensator within its validated envelope and demonstrate the relevant response or load reduction; acceptance then follows the nominated project, class, MWS and statutory basis.

How does SOLAS II-1/3-13 affect the standards map?

The regulation has applied since 1 January 2026 to defined onboard lifting appliances, anchor-handling winches and loose gear, subject to application provisions and exemptions. DNV maps in-scope appliance types across ST-0377, ST-0378 and ST-0498. Confirm the flag, host vessel or unit, equipment function and installation date.

Related on Norwegian Dynamics

DNV-ST-0378 Explained — offshore and platform lifting-appliance scope, certification evidence and project-specific applicability.
DNV-ST-N001 Explained — marine operations and marine-warranty scope, including load-out, voyages and installation/removal where nominated.
DNV-RP-N103 Explained — simplified formulations for marine-operation design loads, with methods and coefficients selected for the actual case.
Crane Load Chart — how project dynamic-load inputs are used in a crane-capacity screen.
Dynamic Amplification Factor (DAF) — response-ratio concepts and project-specific acceptance criteria.

Unsure which DNV standard governs your lift?

We can map the standards, editions, certification evidence and analysis deliverables for a proposed compensator configuration. Send the equipment and operation scope so the applicable path can be checked with the responsible class, flag, MWS and certification parties.

Free download · 8 pages

Offshore Lift Load Cases — ND benchmark figures

What a lift actually measures, with and without passive compensation, from Norwegian Dynamics' own time-domain simulations. It reproduces no standard — the value is the figures, which no standard publishes.

Get the benchmark figures →