Western Canada Shipbuilding Summit

The role of Classification Societies in Shipbuilding

Marcel LaRoche, Marine Manager Western Canada

Lloyds Register Canada Ltd.

May 2nd, 2012

Introduction

In the context of both international and Canadian shipping this presentation will examine the relationships between the key regulatory players related to shipbuilding and seek to clarify their roles.

Ship Building
Defining Design Criteria

Given the considerable cost of building a ship, three very important criteria must be established early in the design phase.
1.

What is the need for the vessel thus establishing the design intent (ship type, area of operationetc)? To which Flag State will the ship be registered; hence establishing the regulatory framework to which the ship will be built and operated? Will the ship be built to the Rules and Regulations of a Classification Society and if so, which one?

2.

3.

Regulatory Regime
Flag States (National Maritime Administrations)

That authority under which a country exercises regulatory control over the commercial vessel which is registered under its flag. This involves the inspection, certification, and issuance of safety and pollution prevention documents. Responsibilities include:

Development of national law and regulations Implementation of international conventions and mandatory codes Ensure compliance Exercise control functions

Regulatory Regime
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
Article 94 of UNCLOS the Flag State has certain duties including:

exercises its jurisdiction and control in administrative, technical and social matters over ships flying its flag taking such measures for ships flying its flag as are necessary to ensure safety at sea with regard, inter alia, to:

the construction, equipment and seaworthiness of ships;

the manning of ships, labour conditions and the training of crews, taking into account the applicable international instruments; the use of signals, the maintenance of communications and the prevention of collisions

In taking the measures called foreach State is required to conform to generally accepted international regulations, procedures and practices and to take any steps which may be necessary to secure their observance.

Regulatory Regime International Maritime Organization (IMO)

Accepted international regulations for technical matters generally refer to those produced by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). The IMO is well known to those in the marine industry as a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for measures to improve the safety and security of international shipping and to prevent marine pollution from ships. In the context of shipbuilding probably the most important instrument promulgated by the IMO, is the Convention on the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS).

Regulatory Regime
Convention on the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS)
SOLAS Chapter II-1 - Part A-1 Regulation 3 specifies classification as a statutory requirement. In addition to the requirements contained elsewhere in the present regulations, ships shall be designed, constructed and maintained in compliance with the structural, mechanical and electrical requirements of a classification society which is recognized by the Administration in accordance with the provisions of regulation XI1/1, or with applicable national standards of the Administration which provide an equivalent level of safety.

Regulatory Regime
Canada Shipping Act 2001(CSA2001)
Section 6 lists the Objectives of CSA 2001, two of which are noted: others): (d) develop a regulatory scheme that encourages viable, effective and economical marine transportation and commerce; (g) ensure that Canada can meet its international obligations under bilateral and multilateral agreements with respect to navigation and shipping; Section 29 refers to Schedule 1 which lists the international conventions, protocols and resolutions that Canada has signed relating to matters within the scope of the Act and that the Minister of Transport has determined should be brought into force, in whole or in part, in Canada by regulation. There are currently 31 such instruments listed.

Regulatory Regime
International Association of Classification Societies (IACS)
IACS defines a Classification Society as an organization which:
1.

publishes its own classification Rules (including technical requirements) in relation to the design, construction and survey of ships, and has the capacity to (a) apply, (b) maintain and (c) update those Rules and Regulations with its own resources on a regular basis; verifies compliance with these Rules during construction and periodically during a classed ship's service life; publishes a register of classed ships; 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; and is authorized by a Flag Administration as defined in SOLAS Chapter XI-1, Regulation 1 and listed in the IMO database, Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS).

2.

3. 4.

5.

The Role of Classification Societies

Originsit all started over a cup of coffee

In the second half of the 18th century, marine insurers, based at Lloyd's coffee house in London, developed a system for the independent inspection of the hull and equipment of ships presented to them for insurance cover. In 1760 a Committee was formed for this express purpose, the earliest existing result of their initiative being Lloyd's Register Book for the years 1764-65-66.

The Role of Classification Societies

Classification

The condition of each ship was classified on an annual basis. Hull condition was classified A, E, I, O or U, according to the excellence of its construction and its perceived continuing soundness (or otherwise). Equipment was G, M, or B: simply, good, middling or bad. In time, G, M and B were replaced by 1, 2 or 3, which is the origin of the well-known expression 'A1', meaning 'first or highest class'.

The Role of Classification Societies

A Global Trend
Lloyd's Register of British and Foreign Shipping was reconstituted as a self-standing 'classification society' in 1834 Bureau Veritas (BV) in Antwerp in 1828 Registro Italiano Navale (RINA) dates from 1861 American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) established in1862 Det Norske Veritas (DNV) in 1864 Germanischer Lloyd (GL) was formed in 1867 Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) in 1899 Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS) 1913 Yugoslav Register of Shipping (now Croatias CRS) in1949 China Classification Society (CCS), 1956 Korean Register (KR), 1960 Indian Register of Shipping (IRS), 1975

The Role of Classification Societies

Key Points

Promotion of safety of life, property and the environment. Develop technical standards (rules) for design and construction of ships. Approve designs against their standards. Conduct surveys during construction to satisfy the ship is built in accordance with the approved design and to the requirements of the Rules. Acts as a Recognised Organisation carrying out statutory surveys & certification as delegated by maritime administrations. Regulations for in-service inspection and periodic survey during operation. Research and development programmes. Support international organisations IMO, ISO,IACS.

The Role of Classification Societies

Applied to all stages throughout the life of a ship

Feasibility stage: appropriate rule set or assessment method selected. Design stage: ship and its component parts are assessed against the requirements of the nominated standard in a process referred to as design appraisal. Construction: survey to ensure that the original design assumptions are met and that the relevant manufacturing standards are complied with. In-service: survey to ensure changes to the component do not compromise the requirements of classification. Changes result from modification, repair, degradation

The Role of Classification Societies

Overview of the Process
Owner contracts shipyard to build ship to meet international regulations: - Classification Rules; - IMO International Conventions - Administrations Special Requirements

Shipyard/designer provides design to Class for approval

Ship delivered to owner with classification and statutory certification in place.

Class surveyors inspect, test and approve materials, components, hull, machinery and statutory items

Ship is subjected to periodic surveys during ships life to maintain classification and statutory certification.

Ship reaches end of life and is recycled.

The Role of Classification Societies

Rule Development & Deployment Cycle

Approved Plans

Rules Design Approval Rule Development

Construction Survey

Feedback

As Built Plans In Service Survey Research

The Role of Classification Societies

Certified Materials, Equipment and Components

Rules for construction of vessels are built on certain assumptions about the materials from which the vessels are constructed. Assurance regarding the performance of these materials is obtained through certification of the individual components against material specifications. In addition the operational performance of many machinery components is assured by certification during construction, for example engine crankshafts, steering gear and valves. A mixture of specific approvals, e.g. engines, and type approvals for repetitive components are employed.

The Role of Classification Societies

Key Points

Promotion of safety of life, property and the environment. Develop technical standards (rules) for design and construction of ships. Approve designs against their standards. Conduct surveys during construction to satisfy the ship is built in accordance with the approved design and to the requirements of the Rules. Acts as a Recognised Organisation carrying out statutory surveys & certification as delegated by maritime administrations. Regulations for in-service inspection and periodic survey during operation. Research and development programmes. Support international organisations IMO, ISO,IACS.

The Role of Classification Societies

Assurance
At delivery certification assures that:

The ship has been designed to a prescribed standard that reflects the operational requirement. The ship has been constructed to those standards, using traceable materials and components. A baseline is available establishing records for in-service phase of the ships operational life.

The Role of Classification Societies

Benefits

Classification is a system for controlling or regulating the materiel state of the ship. Rules for design / construction are extensive and under continual development. Procedures for manufacture, testing and certification of materials are well established. Survey and reporting procedures from construction to disposal are well established. Surveyors are well trained and experienced. Provides access to an significant depth of knowledge and experience (250 years).

The Role of Classification Societies

The Statutory Role
The Rules published by Classification Societies, together with the requirements set down in the various International Conventions of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the marine legislation of the flag states, form a comprehensive and coherent set of standards for design, construction and maintenance in operation of ships.
Class Society Rules & Regulations Statutory Regulations International Conventions

Recognised International Standards for Ship Safety and Marine Pollution Prevention

The Role of Classification Societies

The Statutory Role
Classification

IMO Conventions

Implementation of standards for:

Strength Propelling machinery Electrical systems Control systems Anchoring equipment

Safety (SOLAS)
Strength

Floatability (Loadline)
Strength Freeboard

Pollution (MARPOL)

Fire & lifesaving

Accidental Operational Damage stability

Statutory certification

Intact Communications stability Damage Damage stability stability Propelling machinery, electrical and control systems

The Role of Classification Societies

Delegated Inspection Authority

Shipping is a global industry requiring authorities to maintain offices worldwide to ensure inspection regimes are employed. Many Administrations have opted to take advantage of Classification Societies global coverage and experienced surveyor network. Result has been delegation of work to Classification Societies. Scope of delegated work is outlined in a Delegation Agreement between the Flag State and the Classification Society. There are currently five Recognised Organisations in Canada; Germanischer Lloyd, American Bureau of Shipping, Bureau Veritas, Det Norske Veritas and Lloyds Register.

The Role of Classification Societies

Truly Global Organizations
For example, LR employs over 8,000 people at offices in 250 cities and towns covering all parts of the world.

The Role of Classification Societies

Delegated Inspection Authority
Delegated functions pertain to: International Conventions. Special Certificates for non-convention vessels. National Maritime Regulations. Delegated Functions Include: Review/approval of procedures, plans, manuals and documentation Approval of material and equipment (statutory type approval). Conduct of surveys Issuance/endorsement/extension of validity of inspection certificates.

The Role of Classification Societies

Class Rules vs. Statutory Regulations
Classification Rules for classification and construction Recognized technical standards Applied and interpreted by the class society Statutory IMO Conventions, codes & resolutions National Law and additional national requirements Administrations: responsible however may authorize class to act on their behalf Statutory regulation applied by class on behalf of the administration Interpretation by the administration

The Role of Classification Societies

Class Rules vs. Statutory Regulations
Authorize

Class
Consult

Administration

Construction Rules

Laws, Regulations, etc.

Unified Requirements, Recommendations, etc.

Surveys & Certificates

Conventions, Codes, Resolutions

IACS

Consult

IMO

In Summary

The ships specified within the NSPS are being designed and built to a modern and proven international regulatory regime in line with Canadas maritime regulatory objectives. The Classification Societies acknowledged by Transport Canada as Recognised Organisations will be there to support the NSPS in providing support to Canada, the shipbuilding community and all levels of business working within and beyond the NSPS program. Safe ships, clean oceans.

For more information, please contact:

Marcel LaRoche
Marine Manager Western Canada Lloyds Register Canada Ltd. 502 - 221 West Esplanade North Vancouver, BC Canada V7M 3J3 Tel: Email: Web: +1 604 985 0477 marcel.laroche@lr.org www.lr.org/marine

Lloyds Register is a trading name of the Lloyds Register Group of entities. Services are provided by members of the Lloyd's Register Group. For further information visit www.lr.org/entities