From recent developments around digitalisation, cyber safety and autonomy, to upcoming regulations, such as the 2020 global sulfur cap and IMO greenhouse gas emission reduction strategy, the council laid down its position on these issues consistent with its five-year strategic plan and aligned with its core values of quality operations, transparency, technical knowledge and leadership.
IACS position, which will also include cyber safety, ballast water management, digitalisation and autonomy, will be clearly set down in a series of forthcoming position papers that will be published during the next few months and which will provide clarity to the maritime industry as to IACS’ stance on these matters, it said.
IACS Council also agreed to bring the experience of its members related to EEDI implementation to IMO in a submission describing its technical consequences.
On cyber safety, the Council confirmed that it will deliver 12 recommendations by the end of this year. They are intended to facilitate the delivery of cyber resilient ships and to maintain that status throughout their operational life. Once published, IACS will obtain industry feedback and experience to help with their ongoing development and evolution.
C77 also marked the conclusion of DNV GL’s chairmanship of IACS.
Looking back on his year in office, DNV GL-Maritime CEO, Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, said: “The past year has seen IACS take significant steps towards becoming a more modern and forward looking organisation that recognises the need to adapt to future challenges, while maintaining its leading role in supporting the maritime industry through quality operations.
“The achievements in areas, such as cyber safety, autonomy and new survey technologies demonstrate IACS’ ability to adapt to new ways of working. And I am particularly pleased with the progress made towards strengthening the IACS benchmarking indicators for members and revising the membership criteria,” he said.
Taking over the IACS Chairmanship on 1st July, 2018 was Jeong-kie Lee, Korean Register (KR) chairman and CEO, who said; “I am honoured to be taking on the chairmanship of IACS at a pivotal time in the association’s development. In a rapidly evolving maritime world where automation and digitalisation have become the key driving forces behind innovation, IACS’ role remains crucial and we will continue to provide expert technical advice and guidance to the international shipping community, while maintaining our primary function of promoting the safety of life at sea and the protection of property and the environment.”
Addressing the Council, Lee outlined how his chairmanship will further deliver the IACS five-year strategic plan by continuing efforts to finalise and further develop the initial series of recommendations on cyber safety, ensuring IACS remains responsive to the needs of its stakeholders regarding the reduction of GHG emissions and autonomous ships, and taking additional steps to enhance the quality performance of IACS members.