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PROPELLING CLASSIFICATION THROUGH CONTINUED COOPERATION

Dr. Sun Licheng, the Chairman and President of China Classification Society (CCS), assumed the role of IACS Chairman at the end of the 73rd session of the IACS Council (C73) in Washington, DC on June 29, 2016. Previously, the role was held by Christopher J. Wiernicki, Chairman, President and CEO, ABS.

On assuming his Chairmanship, Dr Sun commented: “I am delighted to take on the IACS Chairmanship and am fully committed to ensuring the Association continues to make strong progress in these challenging times.” Identifying the key objectives for his time in office, and reflecting the discussions at C73, Dr. Sun continued: “Meeting our commitment to the IMO on Goal-based Standards, driving forward the work on cyber safety and facilitating the use of innovative survey techniques will contribute to IACS continuing to be an essential provider of services in the safe and efficient functioning of the global maritime industry.”

In this 25th Anniversary year of IACS Quality System Certification Scheme (QSCS), the IACS Council welcomed the fact that the global Port State Control performance of IACS Members has steadily improved in a climate of increased ship inspections.

Commenting on his predecessor?s contribution, Dr. Sun stated: “Following Chris’ strong leadership, IACS is well positioned to continue working with regulators and industry on the critical issues of today and tomorrow and I will be working hard to further strengthen these relationships.”

In response, Wiernicki thanked fellow Members for their support during his time in office. “Working together, we have achieved a number of highly ambitious goals and made considerable progress for IACS to deliver significant technical advisory achievements including the establishment of the Cyber Systems Panel, the IMO recognition that IACS’ Members’ Rules comply with Goal-based Standards, and the groundwork development for enhanced collaboration between IACS and the IMO,” he said. “Like me, Dr. Sun will enjoy the outstanding support of the IACS Permanent Secretariat who work tirelessly to deliver the IACS’ members’ objectives of delivering safer ships on cleaner oceans.”

Further details on IACS? strategic focus for the coming year will be delivered at a press conference with the new Chairman on Wednesday, 7th September in London.

Images and full resumes are available here:
http://www.iacs.org.uk/document/public/news/_c73/cvsandresumes.zip

Contact: Robert Ashdown, IACS Secretary General E: robertashdown@iacs.org.uk T: +44 (0) 20 7976 0660

Notes to Editors:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. The IACS Council, the governing body of the Association, consists of one representative from each Member Society. The Council elects a Chair, by rotation, from among its Members. The Chair acts as the Principal Officer of the Association for a period of 12 months.
  4. More information about IACS can be found by visiting our website: www.iacs.org.uk

International Association of Classification Societies Permanent Secretariat 6th Floor 36 Broadway London SW1H 0BH UK E: permsec@iacs.org.uk T: +44 (0)20 7976 0660 www.iacs.org.uk

IACS RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE OPERATION OF SHORE-BASED EMERGENCY RESPONSE SERVICES

By choosing a service provider that meets all the IACS recommendations, shipowners, operators and managers can be confident that the provider will have the required capability to both comply with relevant national and international regulations and guidelines as well provide effective and rapid technical assistance to a ship in a casualty situation.

In a ship emergency, a safe course of action to protect the ship, crew, cargo and the marine environment may not be obvious. A ship’s crew and management need rapid precise technical information on the behaviour of the ship after the casualty as well as information on the consequences of any proposed remedial actions.

The aim of an emergency response service is to provide rapid technical assistance to Masters and other authorities in a casualty situation by assessing the damage stability and residual longitudinal strength of the ship.

This assistance can only be provided rapidly if:

  • A 24 hour all year round emergency response service is available
  • The calculation results can be provided rapidly by using computer programs
  • Models of the ship are prepared in advance

 

The IACS recommendations provide additional detail on these core elements and can be downloaded, free of charge, from the IACS website at: http://www.iacs.org.uk/document/public/Publications/ Guidelines_and_recommendations/PDF/Rec._No._145_pdf2856.pdf

International Association of Classification Societies
Permanent Secretariat, 6th Floor, 36 Broadway, London SW1H 0BH, UK
E: permsec@iacs.org.uk T: +44 (0)20 7976 0660 www.iacs.org.uk
Contact: Robert Ashdown, IACS Secretary General
E: robertashdown@iacs.org.uk 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.

GOAL-BASED STANDARDS RECOGNITION LAUNCHES NEW ERA IN MARITIME SAFETY AND COLLABORATION

 

IMO’s recognition that the IACS Common Structural Rules conform to the goals and functional requirements set down by the Maritime Safety Committee is a powerful endorsement that Class rules provide for the design and construction of ships that, in combination with proper operation and maintenance, will meet the mission of safety of life, property and protection of the environment throughout their service life.IACS Chairman Christopher J. Wiernicki commented: ‘This monumental decision is the direct result of IACS and IMO collaboration which represents a new era in maritime safety. This IMO recognition, ahead of the entry into force of the relevant SOLAS amendment on 1 July 2016, reinforces IACS’ trusted technical advisory role.’Wiernicki continued: ‘I commend the hard work carried out by the IACS Members, the IMO Secretariat and Secretary-General, and the IMO Audit Teams, who all have made significant contributions to bring this 14-year process to a very successful and timely conclusion. Our teams’ efforts today chart stronger relationships across the industry for many years to come and provide even further means for continuous improvement in Class Rules.Wiernicki concluded: ‘IACS and IMO share a common objective of delivering safer ships on cleaner oceans. IACS anticipates deepening even further its close working relationship with the IMO and believes the Organisation’s recognition that our Members’ rules fully comply with the principles of GBS is a positive step for the entire maritime industry which will further enhance the ways in which we collaborate.’Contact: Robert Ashdown, IACS Secretary General
E: robertashdown@iacs.org.uk 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. More information about IACS can be found by visiting www.iacs.org.uk.

International Association of Classification Societies
Permanent Secretariat, 6th Floor, 36 Broadway, London SW1H 0BH UK
E: permsec@iacs.org.uk T: +44 (0)20 7976 0660
www.iacs.org.uk

 

IACS PRESS RELEASE 4 MARCH 2015

The subjects were highly topical and included from IACS speakers, LNG as a fuel highlighting the importance of harmonious regulations and new IACS post Panamax Containership structural regulation. From the Commission services the speakers discussed the implementation of the Sulphur Directive and the forthcoming EU regulation for the Monitoring, Reporting and Verification of ships’ CO2 emissions setting out the EU rules and future input for a global scheme.

Philippe Donche-Gay the IACS Chairman welcomed the audience with characteristic transparency stressing the need to engage with the Commission, while Christine Berg, the Head of Maritime safety at the European Commission, spoke eloquently on the vitality of the relationship and collaboration between IACS and the Commission.

It was a fitting start to the week at a well-attended session engaging representatives from the worldwide membership of IACS and from the EU institutions.

Contact: Derek Hodgson,
Permanent Secretary
(London) 020 7976 0660

IACS 2016 BLUE BOOK LAUNCHED

The latest release of the Blue Book package continues to enhance IACS technical support to the shipping industry through our work and investment in technology, innovation, research and development both at the classification and statutory levels.

The Blue Book is an electronic library of technical resolutions adopted by IACS as a result of its technical work and provides an example of how the aims and objectives of the Association1 are delivered for the benefit of international shipping. It contains

 

  • IACS “Unified Requirements” which IACS members incorporate into their Rules
  • “Unified Interpretations” of IMO convention requirements which IACS Members apply uniformly when acting on behalf of authorizing flag Administrations, unless instructed otherwise
  • “Procedural Requirements” governing practices among IACS Members
  • “IACS Charter” and ?IACS Procedures? which define the purpose, aim and working procedures of the Association
  • “Recommendations” relating to adopted resolutions that are not necessarily matters of Class but which IACS considers would be helpful to offer some advice to the marine industry
  • “UR – Unified Requirements Status” advising on implementation status
  • HF & TB for UR, UI, PR & Rec. containing the History and Technical Background files for the Unified Requirements, Unified Interpretations, Procedural Requirements and Recommendations
  • “Quality Documents” containing QSCS (IACS? Quality System Certification Scheme) description, Quality Management

 

System Requirements, Audit Requirements, ACB (Accredited Certification Bodies) requirements and other quality procedures The latest version of the Blue Book is available for downloading from the IACS website at www.iacs.org.uk/publications. Ship Designers, Consultants, Shipbuilders, Classification Societies, Ship-owners, Shipbrokers, Insurers, Associations, Accredited Certification Bodies, flag States, Port State Control, MOUs and the shipping industry at large are able to download the package free of charge at any time.

Contact: Robert Ashdown, Secretary General
+44 207 976 0660

 

 

1. To establish, review, promote and develop minimum technical requirements in relation to the design, construction, maintenance and survey of ships and other marine related facilities; and assist international regulatory bodies and standard organisations to develop, implement and interpret statutory regulations and industry standards in ship design, construction and maintenance, with a view to improving safety at sea and the prevention of marine pollution.

IACS COUNCIL 72 PRESS RELEASE 14 DEC 2015

Cyber initiative is among decisions agreed during 72nd meeting of IACS Council in support of industry and IMO on technical issues

 

(London) – The International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) has created a Cyber Systems Panel to lend support and resources to address what has become a key industry issue.

 

IACS panels represent the top tier of the Association’s issue-specific bodies, so establishing a Cyber Systems Panel raises the significance of this concern to that of IACS’ traditional focus areas of Safety, Environment, Hull, Machinery and Survey. Upgrading the existing Expert Group on Cyber Systems to a full Panel significantly enhances the organization’s ability to address cyber system safety concerns and support the protection of human life, property and the marine environment.

Two Joint Working Groups (JWGs) also were established at the meeting. The first, on Cyber Systems, will collaborate with industry stakeholders and supplement ongoing cooperation with BIMCO.

The second JWG, undertaken by the Environmental Panel, will address methodologies for compliance with the European Union’s Monitoring, Reporting and Verification programme for carbon emissions in EU waters.

The IACS Council also agreed to develop a recommendation on Rapid Technical Assistance so that Governments have a clear baseline as to the level of service provided by IACS members offering such a capability to ships needing a place of refuge.

This meeting also saw a successful conclusion of the IACS JWG on Energy Efficiency Design Index. A new procedure covers application of EEDI to LNG tankers, nonconventional propulsion cruise ships, ro-ro vehicle carriers and ro-ro cargo and passenger ships as well as vessels fitted with innovative energy efficient technologies. The procedure also covers calculation and verification of EEDI in the case of a major conversion and how to determine minimum propulsion power for manoeuvring in adverse conditions meaning that, for the first time, the full scope of the EEDI requirements in MARPOL Annex VI may be applied consistently around the world.

Another major initiative progressed during the meeting was a commitment to further strengthen IACS’ quality management system under the IACS Quality System Certification Scheme (QSCS). This robust and technically sound quality system remains unique within the international maritime industry and will celebrate 25 years in operation in 2016.

IACS continues to improve the Scheme through evaluation of key performance indicators, further development of risk management techniques and recognition of the latest industry standards.

IACS Chairman Christopher J. Wiernicki said:

“In this successful Council meeting, IACS members have once again demonstrated a clear commitment to the issues affecting the industry and a willingness to act accordingly.”

Council also was delighted to welcome to the meeting the IMO Secretary General, Mr. Koji Sekimizu, who was formally acknowledged for his efforts in a speech by IACS Chairman Wiernicki, who expressed the Association’s admiration for Mr. Sekimizu’s achievements in leading and advocating for the Maritime Industry, streamlining the IMO, and effectively executing the role of Chancellor of the World Maritime University.

IACS Council continues to oversee, promote and support work related to the International Maritime Organization, including ongoing work relating to the IMO’s Goal Based Standards programme for oil tankers and bulk carriers. The Council gave its approval to the ongoing IACS Action Plan in response to IMO Goal Based Standards verification reports.

About IACS

Dedicated to safe ships and clean seas, 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 12 Member Societies of IACS. Visit www.iacs.org.uk to learn more.

(From Left to Right) Mr. Philippe Donche-Gay (Vice Chairman of the International Association of Classification Societies and Executive Vice President of Marine and Offshore at Bureau Veritas) Mr. Koji Sekimizu (Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization) Mr. Christopher Wiernicki (Chairman of the International Association of Classification Societies and Chairman, President and CEO of ABS) Dr. Sun Licheng (Vice Chairman of the International Association of Classification Societies and Chairman and President of China Classification Society).