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MEETING TARGETS Decarbonisation and digitalisation are just two of the challenges currently facing the industry, topping the agenda at recent meetings at the International Maritime Organization as well as the International Association of Classification Societies
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t the recent meeting of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) Council, it was recognised that the industry is under pressure to act swiftly to address the challenges of decarbonisation and digitalisation. Classification societies need to maintain the pace as far as their parallel role of maintaining safety is concerned. At this 83rd session, the IACS council agreed to speed up its existing work programme to ensure it could provide maximum assistance to owners and shipbuilders aiming to meet the new demands. One plan is to set up an expert group on the safety of new technologies and zero or very low carbon fuels to develop positions on these issues, as well as to ensure that measures agreed in IMO can be effectively implemented at a global level. IACS is also moving forward with recommendations on remote surveys and work on modernising SOLAS and other regulations that need to keep pace with new technologies. Noting that digitalisation can only be successful if cyber systems are secure, the Council meeting also welcomed the progress toward the development
of requirements for cyber resilience of on-board systems and equipment, and work to incorporate this into regulation. There will also be further discussions with industry on new proposals to IMO following the completion of its regulatory scoping exercise on Marine Autonomous Surface Ships.
There is a need for an even louder voice from IACS during this decade of rapid change Speaking at the council meeting, IACS’ new chairman, Nick Brown – the chief executive of Lloyd’s Register was elected in April and officially took up his position for what will be a two-and-ahalf years term – highlighted “the need for an even louder voice from IACS during this decade of rapid change as
new technologies and new fuels need to be thoroughly understood and risks of adoption mitigated against”. Noting the increasing calls for IACS to be more responsive, more visible and more openly and proactively engaged on the big topics facing the industry, Brown continued: “There is lots for IACS to do and collaboration with all industry stakeholders will be key to our mutual success.” In this context, he paid tribute to outgoing chairman Koichi Fujiwara’s achievements in delivering the significant governance changes necessary to ensure IACS maintains its unique ability to both contribute to and harmonise diverse work streams and to also give institutional effect to new ideas and practices. As he handed over the chairmanship, Koichi Fujiwara said: “IACS response to the covid-19 pandemic and its rapid expansion of remote surveys was vital in ensuring business continuity in shipping, while maintaining high safety standards. I hope that the agility displayed in this instance will be replicated elsewhere as the new governance changes start to take effect. I am proud to leave IACS well-positioned to assist industry and regulators in meeting the many challenges ahead.”
BULK TERMINALS
international | SUMMER 2021
