This includes increased automation and connectivity and aligning the IACS strategic plan for the next five years to complement the vision and strategic directions of the IMO.
In addition, IACS will continue to develop a programme that enables administrations to oversee their Recognised Organisations in a robust and efficient manner. Set against the background of the decreasing trend in Port State Control detentions, the IACS Council also confirmed that all its members had once more successfully completed their periodic membership review that ensures their ongoing membership of the Association.
C75 also marked the conclusion of CCS’ Chairmanship of IACS.
Reflecting on his year in office, Dr Sun, stated; “It has been a landmark year for IACS; collectively the IACS members have accomplished a range of initiatives including signing an historic Memorandum of Agreement with the IMO, achieving full GBS compliance at MSC 98, promoting work on cyber safety and innovative survey techniques and further strengthening relationships with regulators and industry.”
On 1st July, the IACS Chairmanship passes to Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, CEO DNV GL - Maritime.
Addressing the IACS Council, Ørbeck-Nilssen highlighted his priorities for the coming year, which will be to further improve IACS quality systems and the assessment of IACS members against those standards, to modernising class in anticipation of the developments posed by digitalisation and new technologies and to deepening IACS’ ongoing commitment to transparency in line with the expectations of stakeholders and society at large.
Ørbeck-Nilssen, said; ”I look forward to the challenge of chairing IACS during this time of rapid technological change and digitalisation. The current tectonic shifts in markets, regulations and technology make it crucial that IACS retains its position as a key player in this evolving landscape with high standards of performance and quality.”
Immediately following C75, which was held in Beijing, IACS hosted a workshop on international maritime strategy attended by senior representatives from the IMO, flag states, shipbuilders and shipowners at which the future IMO strategy was discussed along with the role of class and IACS in supporting its successful delivery.
Closing the workshop Dr Sun stressed the need for ongoing dialogue and co-operation between all partners and concluded; “Looking forward, I believe Mr Ørbeck-Nilssen will lead IACS to future success and deliver on our common goal of safer ships on cleaner oceans.”