Bureau Veritas Opens Additional Remote Survey Centers

As maritime firms turn to remote vessel and equipment surveys to continue business operations amid the coronavirus pandemic, classification society Bureau Veritas announced it has opened two additional sites to further expand its digital classification delivery capabilities. 

The recently opened remote survey centers in Dubai, U.A.E. and Istanbul, Turkey are part of Bureau Veritas' strategy to deploy a 24/7 remote survey offer worldwide. The additions follow the opening of remote survey centers in Rotterdam, the Netherlands and Piraeus, Greece.

Kerem Kiper, Vice President for the India, Middle East and Africa Zone for Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore explained that, while BV had a well-developed remote and digital delivery platform, the pandemic conditions had accelerated the market’s perceptions about remote surveys. "There is a growing comfort with the process. We are combining the best of our insight and expertise with remote access.

"Where remote survey has really proved its worth is in line with our original vision such as for occasional surveys, including particular damage surveys, where we can look at an issue immediately rather than waiting for the next port call or opportunity to inspect," Kiper said.

Using real-time video communication tools, and even drones and robotics when applicable, surveyors are able to work with stakeholders to perform inspections without having to be on site, which is especially beneficial amid current COVID-19 travel restrictions.

Kiper said he expects remote surveys will persist even after the pandemic subsides: "Post-crisis, remote surveys will be part of whatever our 'new normal' looks like. It is a way to facilitate access to the ship for the surveyor by reducing the need for transportation resulting in a cost reduction for the ship-owner but also a safer way for the surveyor while reducing the carbon footprint of Bureau Veritas services."