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their individual technical standards but on the level of service they provide to the shipyard during the plan review stage and surveys during construction. That emphasis on service is car- ried forward on the delivery of the ship to the owner. As a consequence, where previously the activities of the major classification societies were largely similar, there are now some significant differences not only in the products we offer, but also in how we approach the business including the emphasis that we each place on providing those products on the back of differentiated, superior service.? While there is strong merit regarding the changing role of class in the current generation, the largest classification soci- eties by tonnage, ClassNK, maintains that the trend is in fact decades old. ?When classification began as an industry in the 1760?s, class societies primary concern was the registration and evaluation of ships, but with the introduction of SOLAS, MARPOL and the other major international conventions of the 1900?s, classification grew to become regulators of the industry as well,? said Noboru Ueda, Chairman &President, Class NK (NK) . ?With the MLC, as well as new requirements for ECDIS aboard ships and other new regula- tions, we are really just seeing a continuation of this trend.? CHANGING ROLE OF CLASS ?The conversations with our clients have changed, such that they are looking for depth of knowledge and expertise in a much broader spectrum of activity with regard to subjects like the environment, the continuous onslaught of regulatory requirements and the challenges faced with some of the growth in regulatory issues, particularly from the European Union,? is how LR?s Protheroe succinctly summarized. But while LR has surely evolved with the times, it maintains its core focus. ?Our chief executive, Richard Sadler, makes it very clear that our core business in the marine industry is classification and, from a core perspective, you need that foundation to maintain the level of confidence to operate assets in the way that industry is operated today. I think the industry sees classification societies in different ways. But, principally, it is a repository of knowledge, expertise and experience.? As the conversations and requirements have broadened, so too has class itself, with the trend toward acquisition of com- plementary companies and brands that have enabled class become closer to a one-stop-shop for the shipowner. A notable development in the past decade has been the emer- gence of innovative concept designs from all of the major class societies. ?Classification societies do not design, build, operate and maintain vessels,? said Uwe Bullwinkel, Head of Region Americas, Germanischer Lloyd. ?However, the aim of clas- sification societies is the promotion of maritime safety for the common good. In this respect, our philosophy has beenbroadened in recent years in order to reflect changes in theperception of class by our clients. We often hear that our knowledge about the technical operation of a vessel is unique. Therefore, we are asked to provide more consultancy servic- es when ship owners are in the process of ordering new ves- sels. With our knowledge about the technical requirements of new forthcoming legislation to curb emissions of all kind, it seems to be an obligation to assist our clients in their decisionmaking process.? Bullwinkel added that GL has evolved ? through internal growth and acquisition ? in recent years to include a more robust R&D capability. ?That means we don?t offer any ship designs but design concepts, consultancy and software tools developed to help shipyards or design firms to improve their fuel efficiency and designing process. The latest idea is the concept of a Zero Emission Feeder Vessel which is a practi- cable example how to use surplus energy from offshore wind parks and at the same time to operate a vessel in a very com- petitive environment at commercial feasible prices.? Another area where class has taken the lead is in the assess- ment and management of risk across the commercial mar-itime spectrum, a topic which lies particularly close to theheart of all matters maritime and offshore at Det Norske Veritas (DNV). ?In the wake of Macondo, we had many people from the bulk and the tanker segments come to DNV and say ?we are 34 Maritime Professional 4Q 2011THE EVOLUTION OF CLASS ?You can never regulate or design away from the human element. You will always have the human element, and you must simultaneously train, edu- cate and strengthen the human side of the equa- tion.?Kenneth Vareide, Det Norske Veritas (DNV) MP #4 (34-49):MP Layouts 11/8/2011 1:57 PM Page 34
