Noble Denton – Guidelines for Load-Outs (0013/ND)
The Noble Denton Guidelines for Load-Outs (0013/ND) provide globally recognised best-practice recommendations for the safe load-out and load-in of large structures — such as offshore jackets, modules, SPAR sections, bridges, topsides, and major components — from shore onto barges or vessels (or vice versa). Because load-outs represent one of the most critical and high-risk operations in marine/offshore transport, adhering to these guidelines is essential for safety, structural integrity, and regulatory/compliance requirements.
Summary of the Guidelines
Key aspects covered by the 0013/ND load-out guidelines:
- Scope & Purpose: The document applies to horizontal and vertical (lift) load-outs and load-ins — for floating barges/vessels or grounded load-outs — of large offshore and on-shore structures.
- Classes of Load-Out: Load-outs are classified depending on size, weight, environment and method (skid/trailer, barge, grounded, lifted), each requiring different controls and safety measures.
- Structure & Weight Control: The structural integrity of cargo being loaded must be verified, weight accurately determined and documented, with attention to load distribution and structural strength.
- Site, Quay & Ground Conditions: The quay/site, path to barge or launch area, ground or quay bearing capacity — including geotechnical and structural verification — must be checked to ensure suitability for heavy load-outs.
- Barge / Vessel / Stability & Moorings: For floating load-outs, barge or vessel class, structural strength, stability, stability under deck load, freeboard, mooring arrangement and under-keel clearance must be verified.
- Skidways, Trailers, SPMTs, Skid-shoes: For load-outs using skid/trailer/transport equipment, skidways, link beams, skid-shoes/trailers must be designed and verified for structural capacity, load distribution, level alignment and stability.
- Environmental & Marine Criteria: Weather, sea-state, tide, currents, weather windows, metocean conditions must be assessed and operation limited accordingly. Mooring, ballasting, pumping and contingency must be part of planning.
- Lift-Outs & Transverse Load-outs: When load-outs require lifting or transverse movements, specific procedures apply — referencing related guidelines (e.g. marine lifting standards).
- Approval Process & Third-Party Review: For many operations, especially under insurance warranties or major projects, a formal approval by GL Noble Denton (or equivalent marine-warranty/assurance body) is required, based on full documentation and verification.
The document also includes checklists of required information: structural drawings, barge/vessel data, mooring arrangements, site reports, stability calculations, weight & centre-of-gravity data, method statements, environmental data, contingency planning and operational safety controls.
Practical Relevance for Offshore & Heavy Lift Projects
Using these Guidelines in practice ensures that:
- Large and heavy offshore modules or structures are loaded safely onto barges or vessels — minimising risk of structural failure, instability, or catastrophic incidents.
- All critical factors are properly assessed: structure design, quay capacity, barge stability, marine conditions, load-out path, equipment adequacy — reducing surprises during operations.
- Load-outs (skid, trailer, barge, lift) are standardised and documented — enhancing traceability, compliance with insurance and marine-warranty requirements.
- Risk management includes marine-environment variables (weather, tide, sea-state), thus improving safety and reducing downtime due to unsuitable conditions.
- Operators, clients and insurers have a recognised benchmark (Noble Denton approval) — improving project credibility and aligning with international offshore standards.
This guidance is particularly relevant for offshore oil & gas, wind-farm installations, heavy-lift transport, module load-outs, structural marine projects, and any operation involving transfer of large structures from/to sea.
Official Source / Reference
The Guidelines are published by Noble Denton under reference 0013/ND – Guidelines for Load-Outs.
Current revision is Rev 7 (superseding previous).
Related Knowledge Articles
- IOGP – Lifting & Hoisting Safety Recommended Practice
- Offshore/Marine Lifting & Lowering Operations — GL Noble Denton 0027/ND
- Guidance on Lifting Operations Using Excavators
- CPA – Maintenance, Inspection & Thorough Examination of Mobile Cranes
Ready to Improve Safety and Compliance?
For any major load-out involving heavy modules, structural components or offshore equipment: use the Noble Denton load-out guidelines as the baseline for planning, documentation and approval.
Download the 0013/ND document and integrate its requirements into your load-out procedures, method statements and project planning to ensure safety, structural integrity and compliance with marine/insurance standards.
