Page 32: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (May 2020)

SHIP CLASSIFICATION & COVID-19

It’s almost like the Renaissance period between the 1400-1700s ... Everything (in shipping and maritime) will be looked at with new eyes. It’s going to be a renaissance for the maritime world and I think we’ll have a lot of innovation and new ideas; things that we’ve traditionally done for years simply will not hold up.”

Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, DNV GL © HP_Photo/AdobeStock modernization of class and ‘class of the day among ‘social distancing’ initiatives. necting our clients and fag states, and future’ was topical as a confuence of “It will be like putting a turbo charger promoting cooperation between them.” strong regulatory and technical currents on its (digitalization’s) development so I ClassNK also believes the pandemic – dramatic emission reduction, future fu- would say that this crisis will probably may trigger or accelerate transition away els, digitalization and autonomous oper- put us 2 to 5 years ahead of what would from time-based, periodic surveys to- ations – simultaneously worked to trans- have been the ‘normal’ progression of wards risk-based survey schemes.

form the industry. With the pandemic digitalization in maritime industries.” “We have been able to provide our and the need to quickly fnd new and in- LR’s Brown envisions a more integrat- technical services to support our cli- novative ways to work to keep ships sail- ed digital and connected future for mari- ents’ operations by following our Busi- ing safely, and effciently, many changes time. “The concept of e-interactions is on ness Continuity Plan,” said Okamoto. “It that were in the pipeline could potential- the rise and this situation will only be- is also fair to say that the use of digital ly be put on the fast track, namely digi- come more and more acceptable as best technology - including the electronic cer- talization. “I’m grateful for the strategy practice to improve effciency, increase tifcates launched three years ago - has we have followed for the last fve years safety and maximize the use of our em- helped to ensure that the provision of our to digitalize and modernize classifca- ployees,” said Brown. “In our marine services has continued as normally as tion at DNV GL. It comes to bear fruit at and offshore businesses, our remote ser- possible.” times like these where the daily, physical vices are underpinned by our LR Remote ClassNK recently launched its Digital face-to-face meetings and handing over app. Using the app, crew members can Grand Design 2030 strategy, a strategy of certifcates is being made diffcult,” share video and audio with an LR techni- that could be implemented more rapidly said Ørbeck-Nilssen. “Our introduction cal specialist and other relevant parties, due to the pandemic. “We are currently of electronic certifcates; our establish- such as a fag representative. The LR Re- constructing survey systems that are ment of operational centers and the Di- mote app enables survey requests to be in line with condition monitoring and rect Access to Technical Experts (DATE) coordinated and channeled to our global evaluation technologies, where we have service; and our ever-increasing remote surveyor network.” a great interest in expanding evaluation survey capabilities make us continuously The need to offer the full menu of clas- methodologies using digital technology available to our customers. When we sifcation services using news tools and to substitute the current physical evalu- started our digitalization and class mod- techniques is shared by all, as well as the ation methods,” said Okamoto. ernization journey, we didn’t foresee a need to connect all stakeholders in the “Though the goal is set to 2030, once pandemic, but our ability to respond to maritime value chain. ClassNK’s Oka- the feasibility of a given piece of tech- it has really validated our efforts and in- moto said “we are providing appropriate nology is confrmed, it will be quickly vestment.” services, including remote survey, which deployed as part of our operation.”

Looking ahead, Ørbeck-Nilssen partic- best suit individual cases. Ultimately, we Though COVID-19 has upended many ularly sees an acceleration of digitaliza- take guidance from the Flag State con- businesses and business models, ABS’s tion initiatives due to the need for it to- cerned, but ClassNK is also a bridge con- Wiernicki said that “our focus on at- 32 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • May 2020