19 - SSEP MODULE 6 - Classification Soceity-1

CLASSIFICATION SOCEITIES
REGONISED ORGANISATIONS
Classification Societies
Major Classification Societies
• The purpose of the ‘Classification Society’ is to
provide classification and statutory services, assistance
to the Maritime industry and regulatory bodies as
regards to the maritime safety and pollution prevention,
based on the accumulation of maritime knowledge and
technology.
• The objective of the ship classification is to verify the
structural strength and integrity of essential parts of the
ship’s hull and it’s appendages, the reliability and
function of the propulsion and steering systems, power
generation and other auxiliary systems.
• Classification societies aim to achieve this objective
through the development and application of their own
Rules and by verifying compliance with international/
and or national statutory regulations on behalf of the
flag Administrations.
• A vessel that has been designed and built to the
appropriate rules of the society may apply for a
certificate of classification from that society. However ,
such a certificate does not imply and should not be
construed as a warranty of safety, fitness for purpose
or seaworthiness of the ship. It is an attestation only
that the vessel in compliance with the rules that have
been developed and published by the Classification
society issuing the certificate.
• Further , Classification societies are not guarantors
of safety of life or property at sea or seaworthiness of a
vessel, because the Classification society has no control
over how a vessel is manned , operated and maintained
between the periodical surveys , which it conducts.
• It is estimated that the members of IACS
(International Association of Classification Societies)
collectively class over 90 percent of all commercial
tonnage involved in international trade worldwide.
• The role of Classification societies has been
recognized in the International convention for the
SOLAS and the International convention on Load line.
• As an independent , self-regulating, externally
audited body, a Classification society has no
commercial interests related to ship design , ship
building, ship ownership, ship operation, ship
management, ship maintenance or repairs, insurance
or chartering, but may draw upon the advice and
review of members of the industry and academia, who
are considered to have relevant knowledge or
experience .
• Classification rules are developed to establish standards
for the structural strength of the ship’s hull and
appendages, the suitability of the propulsion and steering
systems, and those other features such as auxiliary
systems, which have been built in to the ship to assist in it’s
operation.
• A vessel built in accordance with the applicable rules of
an IACS member society may be assigned a ‘Class
designation’ by the Society on satisfactory completion of
the relevant surveys. For ships in service, the Society carries
out surveys to verify that the ship remains in compliance
with those rules. Should any defects that may affect class
become apparent or damages be sustained between the
relevant surveys, the owner is required to inform the
Society concerned without any delay.
• The classification of a vessel is based on the
understanding that the vessel is loaded, operated
and maintained in a proper manner by competent
and qualified crew or operating personnel.
• A vessel may be maintained in class, provided that ,
in the opinion of Society concerned, it remains in
compliance with the relevant rules, as ascertained by
periodic or non-periodic surveys.
• In developing its rules, a Classification society
typically relies on empirical experience gained from
classing a wide variety of ship types over many years
coupling with appropriate research that contributes
towards the on-going development of relevant
advanced technical requirements.
• Classification societies set technical rules,
confirm that designs and calculations meet
these rules, survey ships and structures during
the process of construction and commissioning,
and periodically survey vessels to ensure that
they continue to meet the rules.
• Classification societies are also responsible
for classing oil platforms, other offshore
structures, and submarines. This survey process
covers diesel engines, important shipboard
pumps and other vital machinery.
• Classification surveyors inspect ships to make
sure that the ship, its components and
machinery are built and maintained according to
the standards required for their class.
• The mission of classification societies is to
contribute to the development and
implementation of technical standards for the
protection of life, property and the environment.
• Classification societies establish and apply
technical requirements for the design, construction
and survey of marine-related facilities, principally
ships and offshore structures.
• These requirements are published as
classification rules. Classification societies maintain
significant research departments that participate in
the on-going development of technical safety
standards
IACS
Classification surveys
• All classification surveys are carried out by

qualified surveyors using mainly visual
inspection and sampling techniques.
• They do not consist of comprehensive
verification or monitoring. Should any defects
that may affect class become apparent, or
damage be sustained, the owner of the ship, or
the shipyard when it is being built, is required to
inform the society concerned without delay.
• A ship is maintained in class provided that, in
the opinion of the class society concerned.
Enhanced Survey Programs
• IMO adopted a resolution A 744 (18) in 1994 SOLAS
conference with guidelines on the Enhanced survey
programme for inspection and surveys of bulk
carriers and tankers.
• Enhanced survey programme is a guideline for
shipping companies and owners to prepare their ships
for special surveys to maintain the safety of the vessel
while at sea or at a port. A survey programme (a
Planning document for surveying and paperwork) is to
be developed by the owner and is to be submitted to
the recognized authorities, such as classification
societies, 6 months before the survey.
(cont……)
• Enhanced Survey programme is developed in such a
way that it can be integrated with other surveys which
are performed at following intervals:
• – Annual
• – Intermediate Survey
• – Dry Dock Survey
• – Renewal Survey
For a company to comply and perform an ESP,
it needs to design an enhanced survey programme,
which must include the step by step planning to
implement the special survey. It can be said that the
ESP is conducted to check the watertight integrity of
the ship by inspecting the following areas of the ship:
(cont……)
• 1. Close-up survey of the structures such as
Shell, frames, bulkheads etc.
• 2. Thickness measurement of hull
• 3. Inspecting and Testing of Cargo Tanks
• 4. Inspecting and Testing of Ballast Tanks
• 5. Inspection and Testing of Hatch Covers and
Coamings
• 6. Inspecting and Testing fuel tanks, side and
double bottom Tanks
Harmonized System of Surveys and
Certification
The 1988 SOLAS and Load Line Protocols and
the related amendments to MARPOL 73/78
regarding HSSC will enter into force on
03 February 2000. For all ships, the Harmonized
System of Surveys and Certification will be
effective from that date. Ship owners and
respective classification societies should take
note of theses guidelines.
The International Conference on
Harmonized System of Surveys and
Certification (HSSC) 1988 adopted the
SOLAS Protocol 1988 and the Load Lines
Protocol, 1988. By adopting these protocols,
the HSSC Conference introduced the
harmonized system of surveys and
certification under the 1974 SOLAS
Convention and the 1966 LL Convention.
HSSC simplifies the survey and certification
requirements and reduces the burden on
Administrations, operators of ships, and crew.
The date of implementation of the HSSC on
a vessel after 3 February 2000 should
normally be the latest expiry date of
certificates issued under the SOLAS, Load Line
and MARPOL Conventions, unless an other
convenient date, e.g. the date of dry docking
or date of repair or renovation, is agreed upon
between the ship owner or operator and the
vessel’s classification society acting on behalf
of the Administration.
However in no case can the agreed upon
date be later than the expiry date of the Cargo
Ship Safety Construction Certificate.
Vessel owners and operators should
contact the applicable class society no later
than three months prior to the date on which
they desire to implement HSSC on their
vessel. It should be noted that after
3 February 2000, HSSC must be implemented
no later than the expiry date of the Cargo Ship
Safety Construction Certificate.
The harmonized surveys should be
scheduled for a time, location, and port where
fire and boat drills can be conducted and
cargo operations do not hinder the carrying
out of the surveys.
In the case where an existing certificate has
expired before the date of implementation of
the harmonized system, a new certificate
using the form prescribed under the
harmonized system may be issued after the
renewal survey has been carried out.
The validity of the new certificate should
be limited to the date of introduction of the
harmonized system. At that time a new
harmonized certificate will be issued and the
anniversary date common to all certificates
will be specified
Notwithstanding that some certificates
may still be valid when HSSC is introduced on
a particular ship, renewal surveys should be
carried out whether or not they are due.
A new set of relevant certificates should be
issued with all of the certificates having the
same expiry date. Renewal surveys completed
within three months of the date of the
introduction of HSSC on a ship may be
credited for issuance of the harmonized
certificate.
Careful consideration should be taken
when determining the date of introduction of
HSSC for a particular ship, so as to avoid the
necessity to carry out a renewal survey at a
shorten interval during the transition period.
Vessel owners or operators should ensure
that arrangements for any actions, authorized
service personnel, or other specialist or
personnel needed to carry out required tests
or inspections (e.g. servicing of life rafts and
fire fighting equipments).
Condition Assessment Scheme
The Condition Assessment Scheme (CAS) is intended
to complement the requirements of the Guidelines on
the enhanced programme of inspections during surveys
of bulk carriers and oil tankers.
The CAS is to verify that the structural condition of
single hull oil tankers at the time of survey
is acceptable and, provided subsequent periodical
surveys are satisfactorily completed and
effective maintenance is carried out by the ship’s
operator, will continue to be acceptable for a
continued period of operation, as indicated in the
Statement of Compliance.
(cont…….)
The requirements of the CAS include enhanced and
transparent verification of the reported structural
condition and of the ship and verification that the
documentary and survey procedures have been
properly carried out and completed. The Scheme
requires that compliance with the CAS is assessed
during the Enhanced Survey Programme of Inspections
concurrent with intermediate or renewal surveys.
The requirements of the CAS apply to:
1. Oil tankers of 5,000 tons deadweight and above
and of 15 years and over after date of delivery of the
ship
(cont…….)
• 2. Oil tankers subject to the provisions of
regulations, where authorization is requested for
continued service beyond the anniversary of the date
of delivery of the ship in 2010;
• 3. Oil tankers of 5,000 tons deadweight and above
and of 15 years and over after date of delivery of the
ship, carrying crude oil as cargo having a density at
15 deg.C higher than 900 kg/m3 but lower than 945
kg/m3.
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CLASSIFICATION SOCEITIES

• All classification surveys are carried out by

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