Ax1e,
You are correct for the manufacture and welding points of view, however incorrect for the others. I do not want to get involve to explain the reasons, they are fluid fundamentals and process requirements. The code rules are minimum, clients can ask more than the code rules for the purpose unless they are against the rules. In this case the client is asking the process requirement, there is nothing wrong with that.
I have worked for EPC, EPCM consultant companies in steam power, oil&gas, refinery, hydro-electric power industries, all have same requirements in contract/tender documents for vessels and piping.
We do not discuss the welding wall thickness mismatch tolerances, they are subject to totally different discussion.
But, I agree whatever is done may be acceptable, but it requires involvement of all engineering parties for acceptance, which may require additional calculation, which may be totally waste of time in case one party do not accept it. You need to get client’s approval for the change as well. Additional process run, stress analysis run will be costly, none would like to pay from their budget in the consultant offices.