Bureau Veritas has opened its second remote survey centre, in Piraeus, Greece.
The classification society launched its first such facility last month in Rotterdam. Matthieu de Tugny, executive vice president of marine and offshore, told TradeWinds at the time that more would follow soon.
This is the latest example of class societies expanding their remote technology offerings to assist clients stuck in their offices amid coronavirus-related lockdowns. DNV GL, ABS and RINA have also cranked up their remote technology offering.
As TradeWinds reported on 26 March, remote inspections have risen so dramatically in recent months that some market watchers wonder whether the days of a classification surveyor visiting are numbered.
Clients in Bureau Veritas’ zone of operations covering Greece, the Black Sea and the Adriatic can now use the society's Piraeus facilities for such work, regional vice president Paillette Palaiologou said.
“The pioneering technology we are using and the confidence that both we and our clients have in our remote capability means that our surveyors in Greece and across the zone network are able to conduct surveys worldwide — from either our office in Piraeus or across this zone or connecting with the surveyors across our global network,” Palaiologou said.
Remotely located surveyors can connect with ships, shipyards and business partners “in total confidence”, Bureau Veritas said.
