INTERTANKO Urges Tighter Enforcement of Class Surveys

INTERTANKO welcomes the development of Common Structural Rules for Tankers which are seen as an evolution and, importantly a unification of the current individual Classification Societies regulations. This is an industry pro-active initiative which would further contribute to preserve the Tanker Industry excellence in safe operations and environmental protection.

INTERTANKO has been an active supporter of the development of Common Structural Rules and contributed with constructive comments to a cross-industry response to the initial draft regulations which resulted in what we believe will be a substantial revision.

Understanding that the final draft of Common Structural Rules for Tankers will soon be released and based on the information gained so far on these developments, INTERTANKO:

(a) Expresses support for the development of Common Structural Tanker Rules

(b) Encourages the adoption of “common” rules by all IACS Class Societies

(c) Pending advice from the INTERTANKO Safety, Technical and Environmental Committee (ISTEC) on assessment of the final draft, anticipates supporting the new JTP rules

(d) Urges that the new rules be implemented on the schedule now proposed.

(e) Requests classification societies to assess and to suggest clear implementation procedures that would ensure that tankers being built to the current class regulations, including shipbuilding contracts signed before the enforcement of the Common Structural rules for tankers, were not negatively impacted by the introduction of new construction rules

(f) Requires that, in conjunction with new Common Structural Rules, Classification Societies enforce their

(i) Newbuilding Survey Standards and

(ii) Construction Standards with the shipyards they operate with. Further, that Classification Societies must take steps to enforce the compliance quality standards they have approved for shipyards.