Page 62: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (October 2019)

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THOUGHT LEADERSHIP CLASSIFICATION

How Should Classi? cation Evolve to meet the needs of a modern maritime industry?

By Arun Sharma, Executive Chairman, Indian Register of Shipping (IRClass)

Arun Sharma is Execu- tive Chairman of the In- dian Register of Shipping (IRClass) and Chairman of IACS.

Courtesy Indian Register of Shipping

New technology has revolutionized the demands of shipping in the future. Malta, Cyprus and Bulgaria. to take over the Chairmanship of the In- the shipping industry bringing a huge As Executive Chairman of the Indian We also plan to set up an of? ce in Ger- ternational Association of Classi? cation digital revolution that is changing the Register of Shipping (IRClass), an in- many and our strategy has been to ini- Societies (IACS). I propose to bring in way maritime companies are doing busi- ternational ship classi? cation society, I tially focus on small and medium sized a number of initiatives which will help ness. Even the more traditional shipping have always championed the necessity owners and vessels. We have secured make IACS more proactive, leading to companies have realised the bene? ts of of continual improvement to keep pace some business in this sector through the faster decision making.

improved operational ef? ciencies gained with the changing needs of our clients. classing of ferries in the Greek market. One of my priorities as the IACS Chair by electronic interaction. Having held C-suite roles in leading IRClass organizes frequent multi- is to engage more deeply and frequently

There has also been an increase in ma- Indian shipping companies such as the stakeholder seminars to discuss key in- with industry partners through a struc- jor regulatory changes which affects the Great Eastern Shipping, Varun Ship- dustry regulatory positions such as the tured program of engagement including ship operating fraternity with the ballast ping and India Steamships, I am aware impending 2020 IMO fuel sulfur regula- detailed technical and high-level policy water management convention, the 2020 of the tough challenges facing ship own- tion and the initial IMO Strategy on re- meetings with shipbuilders, owners and sulphur cap which comes into force on ers and managers and the type of support duction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emis- marine insurers. This will ensure that the 1st January next year and the chal- required from a class point of view to sions from ships. industry concerns and aspirations are lenge set by the IMO of shipping reduc- help them with all aspects of compli- The company is increasingly gaining properly re? ected in the IACS work pro- ing its GHG emissions by at least 50% ance whether it is legislative, regulatory, global recognition from maritime ? ag gramme. I hope this will develop into a by 2050. So, signi? cant research and statutory or procedural. administrations worldwide and has re- mutually bene? cial feedback mechanism work needs to be done towards devel- In recent years, IRClass has enhanced cently received RO authorization from so that progress can be shared and, where oping zero carbon fuels to prepare the its focus in Europe by strengthening its Denmark and Cyprus. Our growth is possible, common positions taken.

groundwork for the future. geographical footprint in the region with consistent in key markets like the Middle IACS is also developing a data-driven

Against this background of change, of? ces in Turkey and the Netherlands in East and Asia Paci? c with a continuous policy in its decision-making. The im- classi? cation societies have been inves- addition to its existing of? ces in the UK increase in ? eet strength. portance of objectively justi? ed, scien- tigating how they should evolve to meet and Greece with representative of? ces in On the 1st July this year I was elected ti? cally evidenced positions are crucial 62 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • OCTOBER 2019

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