What Do You Mean By Classification Society?
A Classification Society Is An Organisation Which Publishes Its Own Classification Rules (including Technical Requirements) In Relation To The Design, Construction And Survey Of Ships2, And Has The Capacity To (a) Apply, (b) Maintain And (c) Update Those Rules And Regulations With Its Own Resources On A Regular Basis.It Also Verifies Compliance With These Rules During Construction And Periodically During A Classed Ship's Service Life.It Is Not Controlled By, And Does Not Have Interests In, Ship-owners, Shipbuilders Or Others Engaged Commercially In The Manufacture, Equipping, Repair Or Operation Of Ships.
Classification Society is Authorised By A Flag Administration As Defined In SOLAS Chapter XI-1, Regulation 1 And Listed Accordingly In The IMO Database, Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS).
What Is The Purpose Of Classification Society?
The Purpose Of A Classification Society Is To Provide Classification And Statutory Services And Assistance To The Maritime Industry And Regulatory Bodies As Regards Maritime Safety And Pollution Prevention, Based On The Accumulation Of Maritime Knowledge And Technology. The Objective Of Ship Classification Is To Verify The Structural Strength And Integrity Of Essential Parts Of The Ship’s Hull And Its Appendages, And The Reliability And Function Of The Propulsion And Steering Systems, Power Generation And Those Other Features And Auxiliary Systems Which Have Been Built Into The Ship In Order To Maintain Essential Services On Board. 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 Flag Administrations. The Vast Majority Of Commercial Ships Are Built To And Surveyed For Compliance With The Standards Laid Down By Classification Societies. These Standards Are Issued By The Society As Published Rules. It Is An Independent, Self-regulating, Externally Audited, Body.
What Are The Scope Of Classification Societies?
Implementing The Published Rules, The Classification Process Consists Of:
1. A Technical Review Of The Design Plans And Related Documents For A New Vessel To Verify Compliance With The Applicable Rules.
2. Attendance At The Construction Of The Vessel In The Shipyard By A Classification Society Surveyor(s) To Verify That The Vessel Is Constructed In Accordance With The Approved Design Plans And Classification Rules.
3. Attendance By A Classification Society Surveyor(s) At The Relevant Production Facilities That Provide Key Components Such As The Steel, Engine, Generators And Castings To Verify That The Component Conforms To The Applicable Rule Requirements.
4. Attendance By A Classification Society Surveyor(s) At The Sea Trials And Other Trials Relating To The Vessel And Its Equipment Prior To Delivery To Verify Conformance With The Applicable Rule Requirements.
5. Upon Satisfactory Completion Of The Above, The Builder’s/shipowner’s Request For The Issuance Of A Class Certificate Will Be Considered By The Relevant Classification Society And, If Deemed Satisfactory, The Assignment Of Class May Be Approved And A Certificate Of Classification Issued.
6. Once In Service, The Owner Must Submit The Vessel To A Clearly Specified Programme Of Periodical Class Surveys, Carried Out Onboard The Vessel, To Verify That The Ship Continues To Meet The Relevant Rule Requirements For Continuation Of Class.
Assignment, Maintenance, Suspension And Withdrawal Of Class :
Class Is Assigned To A Vessel Upon The Completion Of Satisfactory Review Of The Design And Surveys During Construction Undertaken In Order To Verify Compliance With The Rules Of The Society. For Existing Vessels, Specific Procedures Apply When They Are Being Transferred From One Class Society To Another. Ships Are Subject To A Through-life Survey Regime If They Are To Be Retained In Class. These Surveys Include The Class Renewal (also Called “special Survey”), Intermediate Survey, Annual Survey, And Bottom/docking Surveys Of The Hull. They Also Include Tailshaft Survey, Boiler Survey, Machinery Surveys And, Where Applicable, Surveys Of Items Associated With The Maintenance Of Additional Class Notations.
The Surveys Are To Be Carried Out In Accordance With The Relevant Class Requirements To Confirm That The Condition Of The Hull, Machinery, Equipment And Appliances Is In Compliance With The Applicable Rules.
It Is The Owner's Responsibility To Properly Maintain The Ship In The Period Between Surveys. It Is The Duty Of The Owner, Or Its Representative, To Inform The Society Of Any Events Or Circumstances That May Affect The Continued Conformance Of The Ship With The Society’s Rules.
Where The Conditions For The Maintenance Of Class Are Not Complied With, Class May Be Suspended, Withdrawn Or Revised To A Different Notation, As Deemed Appropriate By The Society When It Becomes Aware Of The Condition.