ROLE OF CLASSIFICATION SOCIETY

The classification society, publish rules and regulations concerning:-

1) The structural strength of (and where necessary the water tight integrity of) all essential ports of the hull and its appendages

2) The safety and reliability of the propulsion and steering systems and those other features and auxiliary systems which here been built into the ship in order to establish and maintain basic conditions on boards

3) All machineries (including electrical)

4) Materials of construction

5) Rules for special type of vessels

6) Rules for ships equipments etc.

Classification societies service to vessels trading in International waters is mainly on setting/updating, and monitored application of standards for hull structures and essential shipboard engineering system during and construction and through out a ship’s service life. They have a dual role. They deliver classification services by providing third party engineering analyses, followed by periodical verification of the ship’s hull structure and mechanical and electrical systems and provide statutory certification in requirements on behalf of flag administrations.

The main areas of classification societies activities are:

1)  Ship classification service

Classification societies establish and continually update standards and guideline for the structural and    

engineering design, construction and survey of ships and other marine structural units, such as mobile

offshore units.

The classification certificate is the document which confirms that a ship has been designed and built  

in accordance with society’s rules. A vessel must be in ‘class’ at all times while in service; vessel

must be surveyed annually, with major surveys every five years

2)  Statutory Service

Though its extensive resources of manpower, expertise and technology, the classification society   

have the capability to undertake surveys, maintain records and conduct the technical reviews to

fulfill the right of various IMO International Conventions and Codes.

Based on national standards of the flag states, classification society work on behalf of IMO member  

states. Over 100 members states/ Government bodies delegate this authority to classification society.

The most common authorization is loadline, SOLAS, MARPOL, Tonnage convention as well as ISM

Code.

3)  Research & Development

Classification society role in R&D is more prominent in ship’s structure, engineering design and  

other safety aspects e.g.,

-        Fatigue damage assessment procedure

-        Advanced fracture mechanics

-        Structural performance of bulk carriers

-        Hull condition monitoring

4)  Technical Advisory Services

Classification societies aim to provide a variety of technical services to ship owners and operators 

e.g.,

-        International conventions and national regulations

-        Statutory surveys and certification

-        Contingency Plannings

-        Hull and Performance monitoring

International Association of classification societies

Ans) ‘IACS’ was formed initially by seven leading societies on 11^th September 1968. in the year 1969, ‘IACS’ was given consultative status with IMO, and its first permanent representative appointed in 1976. it remains the ‘only’ non government organization with observer status which is the able to develop and apply rules for structure, equipment and machinery. More than 90% of world cargo carrying tonnage is covered by the classification design, construction and through life compliance rules and standards set by the member societies and associates.

‘IACS’ frequently provides technical input to IMO-notably for studies into specific ship types and various safety and pollution prevention issues. ‘IACS’ is also playing a vital role in the introduction/implementation of ISM code.

‘IACS’ has also been publishing a series of manuals with the in tension of giving guidelines to assist the surveyors of ‘IACS’ members societies and other interested parties involved on the surveys, asseeement and repair of hull structure for certain ship types.

‘IACS’ liaisons closely with numerous maritime safety organizations, shipping interest griups and other associations, including the ICS, OCIMF, BIMCO.

The guidelines focus to the ‘IACS’ member societies the survey procedures, and are also informative to provide inspection/examination schemes of other regulatory bodies, owners and operators, e.g. The ‘IACS’ early warning scheme “EWS” with emphasis on the proper reporting, will enable the classification societies, to analyse the problems as they arise.

The programme of periodical hull survey consists of Annual, intermediate and special surveys. These are carried out to assess any damage or defect which would impair the structural capability or water tight integrity of hull.

Besides above, surveys in New construction are carried out-ships’ are built under supervision; for this the constructional details and all necessary particulars relevant to hull, equipment and machinery are submitted for approval of classification society before work is commenced. Materials used and workmanship should be satisfactory accordingly to rules.

Under ‘IACS’ the following parts/Machinery of ship are notified as follows:

A         -           Mooring & Anchoring

D         -           M.O.D.U

E          -           Electricity

F          -           Fire Protection

G         -           Gas Tankers

K         -           Propellers

L          -           Subdivision, Stability and Loadline

M         -           Machinery installations

N         -           Navigation

P          -           Pipe and Pressure vessel

S          -           Strength of ships

W        -           Materials and welding

Z          -           Surveys and certification

5)   Strength of ship

There are unified rules for thickness measurement and how much deterioration in thickness of various shell plating is permitted.