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Iacs Council News

03 Jul 2023

IACS Council Elects new Chair

Roberto Cazzulo (Source: IACS)

The IACS Council met in Gdansk, Poland, last week for its 87th session (C87) and elected Roberto Cazzulo of RINA as the incoming Chair of IACS as from 1 Jan 2024.C87 IACS Chair, Nick Brown of Lloyd’s Register, congratulated Cazzulo on his election, and responding, Cazzulo said “It is an honour for me to be elected, and I look forward to building on the excellent work done by Nick Brown in ensuring IACS is well positioned to meet the environmental and technological challenges faced by shipping.”Decarbonisation was high on the agenda at C87.

21 Jun 2016

IACS Chairman Term Concludes, Urges Safety Improvements

ABS Chairman, President and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki concludes his term as Chairman of the International Association of Classification Societies Ltd. (IACS) encouraging the organization to continue setting high standards for performance and raising the bar of excellence. “We set a clear and aggressive agenda for my term as Chairman, and I am very proud of the work we accomplished collectively elevating safety by achieving our top priority of Goal-based Standards recognition by IMO (International Maritime Organization), raising the profile of cyber security and setting a firm foundation for improved working relationships with industry organizations including the IMO,” Wiernicki says.

14 Dec 2015

IACS Council Establishes Cyber Panel

The International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) has created a Cyber Panel to lend support and resources to address what has become a key industry issue. IACS panels represent the top tier of the Association's issue-specific bodies, so establishing a Cyber Safety panel raises the significance of this concern to that of IACS' traditional focus areas of Safety, Environment, Hull, Machinery and Survey. Upgrading the existing Expert Group on Cyber Systems to a full Panel significantly enhances the organization's ability to address Cyber Safety concerns and support the protection of human life, property and the marine environment. Two Joint Working Groups (JWGs) also were established at the meeting.

26 Oct 2015

ABS' Wiernicki: The Head of Class

The Head of Class: Christopher J. The global maritime industry faces myriad challenges in the ongoing quest to run safe, profitable operations in an oftentimes tumultuous environment. More than ever vessel owners are faced with daunting regulatory and technical challenges, and the world’s leading classification societies remain the foundation upon which successful marine operations are built. Last month we visited with Christopher J. Wiernicki, the head of ABS and the newly elected head of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), for insight and analysis.

26 Sep 2015

IACS Chairman Meets Industry Stakeholders b

ABS Chairman, President and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki has taken part in a series of meetings with maritime industry stakeholders in his capacity as chairman of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS). Together with IACS Secretary-General Robert Ashdown, Wiernicki also hosted a press conference at which he laid out the organization's work program for the coming year. Wiernicki assumed the chairmanship of IACS in July 2015 and will lead the organization at a challenging time for the industry. "Increasingly complex regulations, the advance of new technology and the increasing importance of the man-machine interface makes IACS' industry leadership more critical than ever in helping the industry manage these technical risks," says Wiernicki.

17 Sep 2015

Cyber Safety Tops the List for Shipping

ABS Chairman, President and CEO Christopher J Wiernicki has set out his priorities as incoming IACS chairman, emphasizing the unique role the organization plays in promoting global safety and security. The IACS strategic plan has been designed to address both the current and future needs of the shipping industry by focusing on three key areas: structural, machinery and cyber system integrity. "By focusing on these three legs of the safety stool, I believe we can build on IACS' recent achievements and set out an agenda that addresses existing and emerging challenges." Wiernicki says. In the coming year, Wiernicki's focus areas also include ensuring a smooth completion of the initial round of audits for the IMO Goal-Based Standards process.

15 Sep 2015

New IACS Chairman Pinpoints Top Priorities

ABS Chairman, President and CEO Christopher J Wiernicki has set out his priorities as incoming IACS chairman, emphasizing the unique role the organization plays in promoting global safety and security. The IACS strategic plan has been designed to address both the current and future needs of the shipping industry by focusing on three key areas: structural, machinery and cyber system integrity. “By focusing on these three legs of the safety stool, I believe we can build on IACS’ recent achievements and set out an agenda that addresses existing and emerging challenges,” Wiernicki says. In the coming year, Wiernicki’s focus areas also include ensuring a smooth completion of the initial round of audits for the IMO Goal-Based Standards process.

13 Jul 2015

ClassNK Releases New PrimeShip-HULL Software

ClassNK has released PrimeShip-HULL (HCSR) Ver. 2.5.0 in response to the new IACS Common Structural Rules for Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers (CSR BC & OT). CSR BC & OT, which harmonizes requirements found in both existing Common Structural Rules for bulk carriers and double hull oil tankers, was adopted by the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) Council in December 2013, partially amended in 2014, and applies to bulk carriers over 90m in length and double hull oil tankers over 150m in length contracted for construction on or after 1 July 2015. Based on requests from ship designers, ClassNK developed PrimeShip-HULL (HCSR) with a built-in strong design support function that is completely different to any other software to date.

04 Aug 2014

Interview: Roberto Cazzulo Talks Class Trends

“Ships are a concentrate of technology and integrated systems. Most of these  systems are nowadays run by computers. This has changed the man-machine  interface quite dramatically.”  Roberto P. Cazzulo, RINA &  Chairman of the IACS Council

As Roberto P. Cazzulo, RINA, steps down as the Chairman of the IACS Council, Maritime Reporter caught up with him to discuss the current state and future direction of global class. Given your experience, aside from the creation of IACS, what has been the most important change to the way in which “class” has conducted its business in the past 20 years? In my view, it is the Quality System Certification Scheme (QSCS) adopted by IACS in 1991. Quality is a pillar for IACS. The scheme…

06 Jan 2014

Bulk Carriers, Oil Tankships: GBS Verification Underway

Ship surveyor: Photo courtesy of LR

The International Maritime Organisation says that its audit teams will shortly be established to verify construction rules for bulk carriers and oil tankers of classification societies which act as recognized organizations (ROs), following the receipt of requests for verification by the 31 December 2013 deadline. A new SOLAS regulation II-1/3-10 on Goal-based ship construction standards (GBS) for bulk carriers and oil tankers was adopted by IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), at its eighty-seventh session in May 2010, by resolution MSC.290(87).

03 Jan 2014

Goal-Based Standards Verification Process Underway

IMO audit teams will shortly be established to verify construction rules for bulk carriers and oil tankers of classification societies which act as recognized organizations (ROs), following the receipt of requests for verification by the December 31, 2013 deadline. A new SOLAS regulation II-1/3-10 on Goal-based ship construction standards (GBS) for bulk carriers and oil tankers was adopted by IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), at its eighty-seventh session in May 2010, by resolution MSC.290(87). This regulation, which entered into force on January 1, 2012, requires that all oil tankers and bulk carriers of 150 m in length and above…

20 Dec 2013

IACS Council Adopts New Common Structural Rules

At its 68th session of the IACS Council meeting, held December 18-19 in London, IACS has unanimously adopted new harmonized Common Structural Rules (CSR) for oil tankers and bulk carriers. The new rules will apply to all oil tankers larger than 150 meters and bulk carriers larger than 90 meters in length contracted for construction on or after July 1, 2015. The CSR will be presented to the IMO which will verify their compliance with the IMO GBS that will be compulsory for new building contracts signed on or after July 1, 2016. Roberto Cazzulo, Chairman of the IACS Council, said, “This is a historic achievement and the culmination of…

26 Sep 2013

IACS Chairman Calls for Evidence-Based Ship Efficiency Assessments

Roberto P. Cazzulo, Chairman of the IACS Council and of RINA Services S.p.A., speaking at the IMO World Maritime Day Symposium on Sustainable Maritime Transportations System, noted that IMO had recently supported in principle an IACS proposal for establishing an (Energy Efficient Design Index) “EEDI Database” for new ships being constructed in accordance with new IMO GHG regulations. “This will create an evidence base on which to judge the success of the regulations and to help design more efficient new ships,” he said. In a detailed paper Mr. Roberto Cazzulo also said that “IMO’s SEEMP (Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan) may represent the most practical mechanism for monitoring, reporting and verification of GHG emissions, and energy efficiency of existing ships.

01 Apr 2013

IACS Invite Comment on Draft Ship Construction Rules

The International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) has released the second draft of IACS harmonised Common Structural Rules (CSR). The International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) is pleased to announce the release of the second draft of IACS harmonised Common Structural Rules (CSR) on the IACS website. As part of the agreed process of development, IACS invites Industry to offer comments on all parts of the draft Rules - prior to the end of August 2013. This second draft of the harmonised CSR builds on the first draft that was released in July 2012. The rule text has been further developed to take into account feedback received during the first review period although some of the more detailed comments are still being considered.

01 Jan 2013

China Eximbank & CCS Ink Cooperation Agreement

The Export-Import Bank of China (Eximbank) joins hands with China Classification Society (CCS) to support the country's shipping industry. China Eximbank and CCS agree to conduct more cooperation in future on financing services, technical risks hedging and prevention, shipping and maritime information sharing and talents training. The signing of this agreement in Beijing signalled a joint and effort by both sides to make full play of their strength to promote the development of China’s shipping, shipbuilding and related sectors with a view to establish Chinese national brands on the global market. Founded in 1956, China Classification Society (CCS) is the only specialized organization of China to provide classification services.

13 Dec 2012

IACS Council Will Strengthen EEDI Implementation

The International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) Council met in London under the chairmanship of Tom Boardley of Lloyds Register. IACS agreed to strengthen the implementation of EEDI by using the industry developed guidelines as a Procedural Requirement for IACS Members. IACS chairs the joint industry working group which developed the ground breaking EEDI guidelines that have been submitted to the IMO. By using these guidelines as Procedural Requirements mandatory on Members whose societies classify over 90% of the world fleet, IACS is setting down a benchmark for efficient and environmentally safe shipping unsurpassed by any other non-governmental safety organisation.

03 Jul 2012

IACS Releases Common Structural Rules for Comment

The Common Structural Rules (CSR) for Double Hull Oil Tankers and Bulk Carriers were adopted by IACS Council in December 2005 and came into force in April 2006. These two sets of Rules were developed independently and there were some variances in the adopted technical approaches for some elements of the Rules. To remove variations and achieve consistency, IACS made a commitment to Industry to harmonise the CSR, and the harmonisation project for the two sets of Rules began in 2008. The harmonisation project has delivered a single set of Rules comprised of common, harmonised requirements applicable to both Oil Tankers and Bulker Carriers with specific sections of additional requirements applicable to each ship type.

25 Jan 2012

Noboru Ueda's achievements at IACS

ClassNK Chairman and President, Noboru Ueda

ClassNK Chairman and President, Noboru Ueda, served as Chairman of the Council of the International Association of Classification Societies from July 2010 until June 2011. In so doing, he became the fourth ClassNK chairman to complete a term at the head of IACS since the association was founded in 1968. Noboru Ueda set three important goals for his tenure at the helm of IACS - to complete the transition to a more transparent and robust IACS structure and restate IACS commitment to the European Commission…

16 Sep 2011

ClassNK Opens First Russian Office

ClassNK opened its first exclusive surveyor office in St. Petersburg on September 14 with a lively reception hosted by ClassNK Chairman and President and Current IACS Vice-Chairman Noboru Ueda. The event was attended by more than 80 guests including executives and representatives from throughout the Russian maritime industry. Among the many prominent dignitaries at the event were His Excellency Ichiro Kawabata, Consul General of Japan in St. Petersburg, IACS Council Chairman Pavel Shikhov, Vladimir Alexandrov, President of the St. Petersburg Shipbuilders Association, and numerous top representatives from academic institutions such as CNIIMF.

08 Jul 2011

ClassNK to IACS: “Bring Classification into the 21st Century”

ClassNK Chairman and President Noboru Ueda called upon the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) to play an expanded role in the future as he stepped down from his position as Chairman of the IACS Council. “Even as IACS must continue to maintain the highest quality standards,” said Mr. Mr. Ueda’s remarks were made at the conclusion of the IACS Council’s 63rd meeting which was held in Kyoto from the 21st to 23rd of June. With his term as Chairman of the IACS Council ending on July 1st, Mr. Ueda oversaw a year that brought a number of changes to the august organization, including the addition of the Polish Register of Shipping (PRS) and the Croatian Register of Shipping (CRS) to IACS.

02 Jul 2010

IACS Meeting Focus: Common Rules, Surveyor Safety

The 61st Council Meeting of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) at Germanischer Lloyd's head office in Hamburg achieved a number of significant developments. Dr Hermann J. Klein, Chairman of IACS and member of the Executive Board of GL, welcomed thirty representatives of eleven IACS member societies. The group of high level class managers reviewed the harmonization process of the Common Structural Rules for tankers and bulk carriers. The Council agreed on a revised time schedule for the harmonization project aligning with the latest IMO decision on the implementation of Goal Based Standards. IMO has requested submission of rules for verification by December 31st, 2013. The Council confirmed the significance of moving ahead with the harmonization project.

25 Aug 2003

What Should be the Role of Class?

The role of vessel classification societies continues to change dramatically. As the role and relevance of class is hotly debated, MR/EN picked the brains of the industry's major classification societies to analyze both their individual and collective future. If class is to remain relevant, it must remake itself for the modern world, says ABS president and CEO Robert D. Somerville. He recently told delegates to the World Maritime Forum in St. Petersburg, Russia that "self regulation will continue to provide an effective method for establishing and enforcing standards only if all elements of the industry recognize that substantive overhaul is needed." Somerville highlighted the remarkable…

22 Mar 2002

Informal Meeting Discussed Bulk Carrier Safety

An informal meeting invited to consider bulk carrier safety issues has agreed that the approach currently being taken within IMO is the right one at this juncture but that more work needs to be done to prevent continuing losses. The meeting convened by the Secretary-General of IMO, William O'Neil, at IMO Headquarters on Friday March 22, 2002, was attended by F. Tsao and R. Holt, Chairman and Secretary-General of INTERCARGO, respectively; Messrs. I. Ponomarev, R. Bradley and J. De Rose (Chairman of the IACS Council, Permanent Secretary and Permanent Representative of IACS to IMO, respectively); and members of the IMO Secretariat. The Chairman of IMO's Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), Tom Allan, had also been invited but could not attend due to another commitment.

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