2006-03-04

Classification Societies –Contribution to Martime Safety

Gesa Heinacher-Lindemann LL.M., Legal Director

2006-03-04 Classification Societies‘ Contribution to Maritime Safety No. 2

Introduction

• Historic facts

• Classification Societies‘ Scope of Services Contributions tomaritime safety

• Recent developments

2006-03-04 Classification Societies‘ Contribution to Maritime Safety No. 3

Historic Facts

• Initiative taken by maritime circles

• 1764 first register of ships

• Germanischer Lloyd was established 1867

• Ships were sorted into different classes

2006-03-04 Classification Societies‘ Contribution to Maritime Safety No. 4

Classification Societies‘ Scope of ServicesClassification 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 toevaluate whether a new design is equivalent

2006-03-04 Classification Societies‘ Contribution to Maritime Safety No. 5

Classification Societies‘ Scope of ServicesIACS Unified Requirements

• Foundation of International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) in 1968

• 10 Members / 1 Associate

Minimum standards (unified requirements)for some elements of the vessel

• ensure acceptance

• identify new developments

2006-03-04 Classification Societies‘ Contribution to Maritime Safety No. 6

Classification Societies‘ Scope of ServiceStatutory Rules

Important IMO Conventions

• SOLAS andAmendments

• MARPOL

• Load Line

2006-03-04 Classification Societies‘ Contribution to Maritime Safety No. 7

Classification Societies‘ Scope of ServiceDual function

CLASS

STATUTORYREQUIREMENTS

SAFCON

Class entirely embraces theShip Safety Construction Certificate

• Detailed class rules

• SOLAS sets up verygeneralized

2006-03-04 Classification Societies‘ Contribution to Maritime Safety No. 8

Classification Societies‘ Scope of ServicesServices towards shipyards

Scope:

• plan approval

• technical supervision

• verify relevant tests and trials

leading to Classification certificate

Rule making body observes the implementationof Rules and safeguards their interpretation

2006-03-04 Classification Societies‘ Contribution to Maritime Safety No. 9

Classification Societies‘ Scope of ServicesServices towards ship suppliers

Scope depends on equipment or material:

• type approval inspection

• random inspections

• final inspections

leading to Certificate

Approving the equipment with a clear understandingof the overall system “vessel”

2006-03-04 Classification Societies‘ Contribution to Maritime Safety No. 10

Classification Societies‘ Scope of ServicesServices towards shipowners

Scope:

• Surveys on a five year cycle

annual surveys

intermediate surveys

class renewal surveys

leading to Renewal of Class Certificate

Supervision over an entire life cycle

2006-03-04 Classification Societies‘ Contribution to Maritime Safety No. 11

Classification Societies‘ Scope of ServicesServices towards flag states

Scope:

• Statutory certification services

• Acc. to IMO guideline from 1993 / EU Directive on classification societies (94/57)

leading to reports or certificates for Flag States

Use of exclusive world-wide network of surveyors

2006-03-04 Classification Societies‘ Contribution to Maritime Safety No. 12

Classification Societies‘ Scope of ServicesISM

Scope:

• Certification of safety management systems International Safety Management Code ISM

leading to

• Document of Compliance (shore based organisation)

• Safety Management Certificate (each vessel)

Identification of weak points in the quality system

2006-03-04 Classification Societies‘ Contribution to Maritime Safety No. 13

Classification Societies‘ Scope of ServicesISPS

Scope:

• Approval of risk analysis

• ship security plan in case of vessels

leading to International Ship Security Certificate

Worldwide exclusive staff, trained also for security matters

2006-03-04 Classification Societies‘ Contribution to Maritime Safety No. 14

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

Classification Societies‘ Scope of ServicesShip’s data

Data available to Administration, clients,port State, Officers, EU Commission

2006-03-04 Classification Societies‘ Contribution to Maritime Safety No. 15

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 ServiceTokyo MOU 2002-2004

2006-03-04 Classification Societies‘ Contribution to Maritime Safety No. 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

2006-03-04 Classification Societies‘ Contribution to Maritime Safety No. 17

Thank you very much for your attention!