The International Association of Classification Societies has taken on several initiatives to help shipping keep pace with new technology and rules, said chief executive Knut Orbeck-Nilssen.
“It is my duty and honour to encourage the world’s biggest classification societies to pull together to adapt to this rapid pace of change,” he said today at the Connecticut Maritime Association Shipping 2018 conference in Stamford, Connecticut.
IACS has launched several projects to help the industry adapt to recent shifts in markets, regulations and technologies, said Orbeck-Nilssen, also chief executive of classification society DNV GL-Maritime.
IACS said it has examined ways to identify which standards present regulatory blocks to autonomous ship operations and is drafting common terminology for various autonomy levels.
In addition, the organisation has a group focused on cyber safety that addresses safety issues with interconnected systems, sharing best practices and keeping abreast of new developments.
It is also eyeing its survey requirements to help with use of new survey technology. Changes could cover advanced non-destructive testing and remote inspection techniques, IACS said.
Further, the agency is looking at its internal procedures to ensure members' services keep up with regulatory developments and meet highest quality standards, Orbeck-Nilssen said.
Amid the changes, IACS and its member classification societies will still keep to its ideals of setting the course ahead with modern requirements, transparent processes and highest service quality, he said.
"The purpose of classification remains the same: To protect life, property and the environment,” he said.
