IACS’ Council, meeting last week in Rome for its 89th session (C89) under new Council Chair, Roberto Cazzulo, progressed a wide range of issues, foremost of which was the need for human element considerations to be taken into account at the earliest stage across all IACS’ work streams. The requirement for increased awareness and focus on how a ship’s crew can safely operate increasingly sophisticated vessels (the human element (HE)) has led IACS to develop internal guidelines to address this need in a structured and consistent manner.
C89 was informed that more than 150 IACS technical experts had received training related to the fundamentals of Human Element Impact Assessment in the maritime sector. This course was developed by IACS Members’ HE experts who captured assumptions about modern ship and operating company operating context, including current trends of system complexity plus remote surveys and automation. C89 agreed to develop this work into a High-Level Position Paper to promote an understanding of these matters by Industry/regulators and ensure that safety concerns related to the HE are fully considered in the development of new technology. Recognising the importance of collaborating with external parties on this issue, C89 also welcomed initial discussions with the Human Element Industry Group (HEIG) regarding the formation of an appropriate platform for collaboration with the industry.
The rapid deployment of new technologies into the maritime sector led IACS to establish its Safe Digital Transformation Panel last December. Council was appraised of the work that has been initiated in the last six months across areas such as complex systems, data quality and safety management for MASS and conceptualising the scope of IACS’ engagement with regard to digitalised data. The establishment of project teams to develop recommendations on ship data quality and cyber security controls for ships-in-service was also welcomed.
C89 recognised the progress being made on safe decarbonisation with five Unified Requirements underdevelopment on; approval of lithium batteries, materials for hydrogen, ammonia treatment systems, carbon capture, and fire-fighting systems for methanol. IACS’ Council was also advised of a new workstream on nuclear power and the establishment of a Joint Industry Working Group on Safe Decarbonisation together with an update on work with the Singapore MPA on gas dispersion simulation.
The evolution of IACS’ Common Structural Rules was discussed and C89 noted the extensive consultation with Industry taking place throughout 2024 (with further meetings planned for early October and at Tripartite), which is enabling IACS to address any concerns and deliver proposals that meet not only IACS’ aims as a technical organisation, but the industry’s common goals of safer and cleaner shipping.
C89 also noted that it is 18 months since the implementation of IACS’ Unified Requirement on Remote Survey (UR Z29). Council reaffirmed IACS’ commitment that remote surveys must be of at least the same quality as physical surveys and so initiated a review of UR Z29 that can build on feedback received from stakeholders and maintain its alignment with developments at IMO. C89 also recommended to extend the two quality management focus areas on the consistent implementation of UR Z29 and on the training of surveyors until end-2025.
C89 marked the end of Mr. LI Zhiyuan’s tenure as Chair of IACS’ General Policy Group, and Dr. Ajay Asok Kumar was welcomed as the new Chair.
Speaking after C88, the IACS Council Chair, Roberto Cazzulo stated “C89 held intensive discussions across a wide range of issues that will determine the shape of the industry for years to come. Ensuring the centrality of the role of the human element in those discussions substantially reinforces our commitment to delivering a safe digital and decarbonisation transformation”
Contact: Robert Ashdown, IACS Secretary General
E: robertashdown@iacs.org.uk T: +44 (0) 20 7976 0660
International Association of Classification Societies
Permanent Secretariat 4 Matthew Parker Street, London, England SW1H 9NP
T: +44 (0)20 7976 0660
Notes to Editors:
- Dedicated to safe ships and clean seas, the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) makes a unique contribution to maritime safety and regulation through technical support, compliance verification and research and development. More than 90% of the world’s cargo carrying tonnage is covered by the classification design, construction and through-life compliance Rules and standards set by the twelve Member Societies of IACS.
- Roberto P. Cazzulo graduated in civil engineering from the University of Genoa (Italy) but he has spent almost his whole professional life in maritime regulatory affairs. He joined RINA in 1981 within the R&D Marine Division. Currently, he is Secretary General of Registro Italiano Navale, the RINA main shareholder. Since the ‘80s he has represented IACS and the Italian Administration at the IMO, for instance chairing the working group on the Human Element and Formal Safety Assessment of the Maritime Safety Committee, and contributing to the development of the International Safety Management Code and Goal Based Standards for ship construction. He chaired IACS in 2013-2014 when the Common Structural Rules for tankers and bulk carriers were adopted and submitted to the IMO for GBS verification. He has been elected chairman of the IACS Council for 2024-2025. A high resolution (3mb) portrait photo of Roberto Cazzulo is available at: https://iacs.s3.af-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/25155040/cazzulo_11-scaled.jpg
- Ajay Asok Kumar is currently a member of General Policy Group (GPG) Chair Team in IACS Secretariat, London. Prior to this, he has held various positions at ClassNK in Japan as Manager of External Affairs Department, Senior Ship Surveyor, Management Systems Auditor and Plan Approval Engineer. He has also worked as a Senior Engineer at Mazagon Docks Ltd, India. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Naval Architecture & Ship Building from Cochin University of Science & Technology, India and Master’s & Doctoral Degrees in Environmental and Ocean Engineering from University of Tokyo, Japan. A photo of Dr. Ajay Asok Kumar can be found at https://iacs.s3.af-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/18111513/Ajay.jpg
- More information about IACS can be found by visiting iacs.org.uk and in our Annual Review available online at here
