Sea views: Cracks show within IACS

An unprecedented move by three prominent members of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) to implement tougher safety initiatives has provoked diverse comment since it has been done outside the formal framework of the association, the normal vehicle for such enactment.

A joint announcement by the chairmen of Lloyds Register (LR) Det Norske Veritas (DNV) and the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) was made, last Thursday, on the floor of the Baltic exchange, saying that the move would strengthen the classification profession and make poor quality vessels easier to identify and act upon.

In an obvious reference to previous criticisms by some, over the effectiveness of IACS in the regulation of standards, it added that the past 12 months had highlighted an apparent weakness in the ability of classification societies to respond to critical issues facing the shipping industry. In taking this stance, the three societies are sending a clear message to the organisation, setting out an agenda that these three agree should be adopted by all ten members and two associate members.

The phrasing of the statement was specific and emphasised that the three had become impatient with the rate at which IACS was able to perform regulation. The statement went on to say, "While continuing to support IACS, the three societies will refocus much of their considerable resources on the important quality issues facing the profession and the wider shipping community. The objective of the co-operation is to speed the pace and enhance the quality of decisions in order to meet the expectations and demands for safer shipping."

The ten points listed are summarised as follows:

• To develop a common scheme to identify, target and monitor possible sub-standard vessels;
• To align ISM with other safety management control measures by linking future issuance of SMC certificates to the classification of a vessel. The objective of this would be to phase out, over time, the split responsibility that now exists when one society classes a ship while another judges compliance with the ISM Code;
• To strengthen the existing Transfer of Class Agreement (TOCA);
• To introduce an 'early warning' system to exchange information on sister ships;
• To require two surveyors in attendance for all special surveys for tankers and bulk carriers above 15 years of age;
• To co-operate apropos the use of exclusive surveyors;
• To establish common basic criteria for ship design;
• To harmonise Condition Assessment Programmes (CAPs);
• To introduce common standards for training and qualification of surveyors;
• To increase transparency of information by the establishment of common formats for onboard and ashore information and to increase the amount and quality of information available via Internet.

The joint statement concluded, "The other members of IACS are encouraged to adopt the ten initiatives. However, the adoption of the proposed measures by all IACS members is not a prerequisite for timely implementation by the three societies. Industry sources are saying that it was the report entitled 'Ships, Slaves and Competition' by the International Comm-ission on Shipping (IConS) which was released on 6 March, that precipitated this action by LR, DNV and ABS. While the report gave credit to the technical strengths of IACS members, it was scathing in its criticism of some societies.

Frank Kennedy is a marine consultant based in Dubai.