LR Classed Ships Head USCG Qualship List

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) initiated the Qualship program on January 1, 2001 to reward quality owners. Lloyd's Register classed ships dominate the latest USCG list, with more quality ratings than any other classification society. These ships will all benefit from less frequent USCG inspections. Among the 41% of ships that are classed by Lloyd's Register are those owned by AP Moller, P & O Nedlloyd, Overseas Shipholding Group, Shell International and BP Amoco. "I am very supportive of the USCG Qualship initiative", said Alan Gavin, Marine Director at Lloyd's Register. " It is an important step in the right direction. We have many owners who run quality ships and who do not deserve to be treated the same as the substandard owner and be continually subjected to unnecessary inspections." The level of reward for quality ship operation varies with ship type. Ships carrying freight will benefit the most by having only biennial examinations in future. Annual inspections continue for tankers, but intermediate examinations will be less detailed.