Nominal continuous rating (NCR)

The nominal (or normal) continuous rating is the power at which a main engine is intended to run continuously at sea, usually set around 85 to 90 percent of the maximum continuous rating (MCR) to leave a sea and fouling margin. NCR is the basis for the ship’s service speed, the daily fuel figure, and the propeller match point. It sits below the MCR that the maker guarantees for unrestricted continuous output.