Korean Register says it is now using drones as part of its ship inspection regime.
The classification society said the drone inspections, which encompass both aerial vehicles inside ship holds and underwater remote vehicles, was developed with the aid of a Korean university.
It said it completed a series of tests using camera-equipped drones and established a registration process for service suppliers.
The new services aims to protect its ship surveyors who may have to inspect difficult-to-access and high-risk areas on ships.
DNV GL also said it is looking at using drones for ship surveys.
Lee Jeong-kie, chief executive of Korean Register, says the class society will carry out further research and development in the technology with the aim of registering more service suppliers, particularly in Asia and China.
Camera-equipped drones "will be a significant advantage for our customers saving their time and capital resources, as well as increasing efficiency and safety at the worksite, which I hope, will in turn improve competitiveness across the shipping industry," he said.
