This paper aims to describe the evolution of noise regulations for merchant ships over the last four decades, analysing the most important aspects with respect to crew, passengers and exposed populations in cities, in line with the requirements of the European Union to reduce the environmental impact of transport. The paper also analyses the changes in regulations aimed at not only regulating noise and vibration inside the ship, but also noise emitted to the port and underwater radiated noise. We shall also include Classification Societies, given the importance of their standards in ensuring increasing levels of comfort on board ship.
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