1. Classification
Societies –
Contribution to
Maritime Safety
Stanley Davidson, Executive PResident
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2. Introduction
 Historic facts
 Classification Societies‘
Scope of Services
Contributions to
maritime safety
 Recent developments
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3. Historic Facts
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• Initiative taken by
maritime circles
• 1764 first register of
ships
• AP Class was
established in 2015. A
brand new Class
• Ships were sorted into
different classes

4. Classification Societies’ Scope of Services
Classification Rules
Classification rules recognised as “State of technology”
Classification rules developed through
extensive research and development
experience of a worldwide network of
surveyors
Innovation possible through expertise to
evaluate whether a new design is equivalent
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5. Classification Societies’ Scope of Services
IACS Unified Requirements
 Foundation of International Association of Classification Societies (IACS)
in 1968
 10 Members / 1 Associate
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Minimum standards (unified requirements)
for some elements of the vessel
• ensure acceptance
• identify new developments

6. Classification Societies’ Scope of Service
Statutory Rules
Important IMO Conventions
 SOLAS and
Amendments
 MARPOL
 Load Line
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7.  Detailed class rules
 SOLAS sets up very
generalized
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Classification Societies 'Scope of Service’
Dual function
CLASS
STATUTORY
REQUIREMENTS
SAFCON
Class entirely embraces the
Ship Safety Construction Certificate

8. Classification Societies‘ Scope of Services
Services towards shipyards
Scope:
• plan approval
• technical supervision
• verify relevant tests and trials
leading to Classification certificate
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Rule making body observes the implementation
of Rules and safeguards their interpretation

9. Classification Societies‘ Scope of Services
Services towards ship suppliers
Scope depends on equipment or material:
• type approval inspection
• random inspections
• final inspections
leading to Certificate
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Approving the equipment with a clear understanding
of the overall system “vessel”

10. Classification Societies‘ Scope of Services
Services towards shipowners
Scope:
 Surveys on a five year cycle
 annual surveys
 intermediate surveys
 class renewal surveys
leading to Renewal of Class Certificate
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Supervision over an entire life cycle

11. Classification Societies‘ Scope of Services
Services towards flag states
Scope:
• Statutory certification services
 Acc. to IMO guideline from 2013 / EU Directive on classification societies
(94/57)
leading to reports or certificates for Flag States
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Use of exclusive world-wide network of surveyors

12. Classification Societies‘ Scope of Services
ISM
Scope:
• Certification of safety management systems
International Safety Management Code ISM
leading to
• Document of Compliance (shore based
organisation)
• Safety Management Certificate (each vessel)
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Identification of weak points in the quality system

13. Classification Societies‘ Scope of Services
ISPS
Scope:
 Approval of risk analysis
 ship security plan in case of
vessels
leading to International Ship
Security Certificate
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Worldwide exclusive staff, trained also for
security matters

14. Classification Societies‘ Scope of Services
Ship’s data
Ship Register:
 Name of ship and owner
 Call sign, IMO number, GL number, flag etc.
 Class, year of built, tonnage, equipment,
cargo
Fleet Online: GL database on survey status
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Data available to Administration, clients,
port State, Officers, EU Commission

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Class No. of inspections No. of class
related
detentions
3 year average detetention
ratio %
GL 5349 20 0,37
DNV 7330 30 0,41
ABS 5648 26 0,46
KR 5348 28 0,52
CCS 5970 38 0,64
NK 21083 166 0,79
RS 2413 21 0,87
LR 7770 75 0,97
BV 4565 51 1,12
RINA 603 7 1,16
Classification Societies’ Scope of
Service
Tokyo MOU 2002-2004

16. Recent Developments
 Recent casualties such as Prestige have shown that classification
societies are exposed to potential unlimited liability
 IMO is discussing a change to rulemaking policy in setting goal based
standards
 EU intends “one European standard” also for small national class
societies
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17. Flag States – We work with
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18. Certifications
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19. Thank you very much for your
attention!
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