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Classification is the development of independent technical standards for ships and the verification of compliance with these standards throughout the ship’s life. For a ship owner finding the right classification society is the difference between plain sailing and choppy waters.

Classification by the International Register of Shipping (INTLREG) has achieved global acceptance by ship owners, flag states, P&I clubs, underwriters and regulatory bodies. This is because of our understanding of real-life maritime situations and our uncompromising approach to maritime safety and environmental protection.

The classification rules are designed to ensure safety against hazards to the ship, personnel, passengers and cargo, and against issues related to the environment as a consequence of sea transport. The rules are defined after a rigorous process of technical approval alongside consultation with flag states, port states, ship owners/operators, underwriters, P&I Clubs and ancillary industries.

INTLREG uses risk assessment methodologies such as FSA, FMEA and HAZOP in conjunction with feedback from the maritime world. This ensures INTLREG classification processes are contemporary and based on a knowledgeable assessment of their values.

With INTLREG as your partner, we can provide ongoing monitoring during the design and build processes. Mistakes are costly and our attention to detail can help prevent losses. As your trusted technical expert, INTLREG will represent your business at every stage of the design and build process. We act as your eyes and ears, monitoring and resolving issues related to design processes as well as the financial implications of disputes with shipyards and marine architects.

The classification process for the vessels comprises:

  1. Surveys at the time of construction, entry into class, and modifications to ensure that the vessel meets the criteria stipulated by the rules
  2. Appraisal of the design during and after construction
  3. Issuance of a ‘Certificate of Classification’ and entering of the vessel’s particulars into the society’s Register of Ships
  4. Periodical surveys as stipulated by the rules to ensure continued maintenance of conditions of classifications
  5. Additional surveys as deemed necessary in view of damages, reported poor condition of the vessel by port state control authorities, etc.

VARIETY OF CLASS SURVEYS:

The classification services performed by INTERNATIONAL REGISTER OF SHIPPING (INTLREG), are carried out for ships in accordance with independent technical standards developed by INTLREG and the verification of compliance with these standards throughout the ship’s life.

Classification surveys of ships and floating / movable assets that are under construction or in service are regulated by the Rules for the Classification Surveys of Ships under construction, Rules for the Classification Surveys of existing ships, Transfer of Class and other INTLREG rules depending on the type of vessel.

The classification rules are designed to ensure safety against hazards to the ship, personnel, passengers and cargo, and against issues related to the environment as a consequence of sea transport. The rules are defined after a rigorous process of technical approval alongside consultation with flag states, port states, ship owners/operators, underwriters, P&I Clubs and ancillary industries. The main objective of having the vessel Classed by INTLREG is to ensure the safety of human life at sea, the safe and reliable carriage of passengers and cargoes, and the prevention of environment pollution.

CLASS ENTRY SURVEY:

The purpose of conducting a class entry survey for a ship, is to determine whether she meets the standard to assign INTLREG class to the ship. On completion of these Surveys, a Certificate of Class is issued by the attending INTLREG class surveyor.

PERIODICAL SURVEYS:

The primary purpose of periodical surveys is to ascertain, at regular intervals, that there are no signs of undue wear, strain or damage to the ship. The periodical surveys are also carried out to make sure that everything is maintained in a satisfactory manner for maintenance of the Class and that no modifications have been made.

  • Annual survey for annual class confirmation.
  • Intermediate survey shall be carried out either at or between the second and third annual surveys.
  • Special survey for class renewal, shall be carried out at 5-year intervals to renew the class cycle.
  • Survey of the outside of the ship’s bottom performed in order to verify whether the technical condition of the following items complies with the requirements of INTLREG rules:
    • underwater hull;
    • sea inlets, bottom and side valves;
    • underwater parts of rudder and steering gears;
    • shafting, propellers and active means of the ship’s steering (AMSS);
    • parts of navigational equipment in the underwater hull;
    • other items of technical supervision, which survey shall normally be carried out with the ship in a dry dock.
  • Continuous survey system (CSS) of a ship: hull, arrangements, machinery, electrical equipment, refrigerating plant. Continuous survey consists of the distribution of survey scope corresponding to the scope of special survey for class renewal between separate surveys, and the whole cycle of survey shall be conducted within the period, for which the class is assigned or renewed.
  • Survey on a Planned Maintenance Scheme for Machinery (PMS) basis shall be carried out on the basis of intervals between the maintenance operations (overhauls) recommended by the manufacturer, documented operator’s experience and a condition monitoring system, where fitted.
  • Survey on a Condition Monitoring (CM) and a Condition Based Maintenance (CBM) basis. CM and CBM systems are fitted on board the ship at the shipowner’s discretion and shall be approved and subject to the relevant surveys performed by the Register upon the shipowner’s written request.

OCCASIONAL SURVEYS shall be carried out in connection with reinstatement/retainment of class; changing of class notation, type/subtype and ship’s other characteristics; emergency occurrences; passages.

OTHER SURVEYS. Subject to special agreement and authorization, the Register may carry out other surveys, such as: surveys carried out on authorization of state authorities (MA, embassy of Flag State, standardization bodies, state technical supervisory bodies, etc.); surveys carried out at the request of companies (shipping, insurance, industrial and others).

Our processes and expertise can save ship owners time and resources.

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services@intlreg.org