Special Information about High-Speed Craft

As an alternative to conventional cargo and passenger ships, vessels may be certified as high-speed craft (HSC). HSC may be either cargo or passenger ships. For a vessel to be certified as a HSC, it must be capable of sufficiently high speed in relation to its weight. Certification as a HSC is, however, not mandatory – it is up to the ship-owner. Vessels that are certified as high-speed craft in accordance with HSC-regulations, facilities light-weight design.

The rules for high-speed craft are provided in the Swedish Maritime Administration’s regulations and general recommendations (SJÖFS 2003:12) on the safety of high-speed craft. These regulations replace most of the regulations that apply to vessels, as they contain rules in many areas, such as construction, equipment and management.