New IACS Chairman Pinpoints Top Priorities

 

ABS CEO Pledges to Support Three Areas Crucial to Industry as it Tackles Current Challenges With an Eye to the Future

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. “My priorities for 2015-2016 strike a balance between the completion of ongoing projects and the need to look forward and formulate the next generation of IACS guidelines, unified and procedural requirements.”

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.

He will also advance the creation of a cyber-system safety framework that addresses control systems, software quality assurance, data integrity and cyber security, enhancing the initiative that was commenced in 2014.

Wiernicki will further seek to ensure that the IACS Quality System Certification Scheme (QSCS) remains the ‘gold standard’ for classification society performance.

Wiernicki, who assumed the role of IACS Chairman at the end of the 71st session of the IACS Council in Paris on July 2, 2015, singled out the importance of IACS in supporting the industry at a time when more stringent regulatory requirements are being formulated and implemented.

“IACS’ relationships, extensive technical knowledge, experience and independence place it in a unique position to work with regulators and industry,” he says. “IACS will continue to reach out and strengthen relationships with all parties, continuing to demonstrate that its commitment to safety, quality and environmental protection are more important than ever.”