Somerville Takes Over at ABS
Robert D. Somerville, has been elected Chairman of ABS. He replaces Frank J. Iarossi who has stepped down after 14 years at the head of the world’s third largest classification society. The previously announced and carefully planned transition took effect with the approval of Somerville in the post by the ABS Council following the Annual Meeting of the society in New York today. The Council is a 60 person body, representative of the maritime industry, drawn from the more than 800 worldwide members of ABS. The Council also confirmed Somerville’s re-election as Chief Executive Officer of the classification society. Somerville, a 34 year veteran of ABS had served as President of the society since 1993.
ABS, DNV, LR Take Action
Three leading bodies responsible for surveying ships and verifying them as seaworthy launched an initiative on Thursday aimed at dispelling growing industry concern about the thoroughness of safety checks. Classification societies Lloyd's Register (LR), the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and Det Norske Veritas (DNV) said they had laid down a 10-point action plan. "We've got to get away from this reputation that we... most definitely have of being too slow to react (to safety concerns)," said LR chief executive officer David Moorhouse. Classification societies' surveyors conduct detailed surveys of ships for corrosion and safety hazards every year. The leading 10 classification societies have long been governed by one industry body, IACS, of which they are all members.
