Prof.V.M.Mohamed Ali Ship Registration and Classification.

Ship registration Ship registration is the process by which a ship is documented and given the nationality of the country to which the ship has been documented. The nationality allows a ship to travel internationally as it is proof of ownership of the vessel. International law requires that every merchant ship be registered in a country, called its flag state.flag state The ship sails under the flag of the country of registration.flag

Classification Society A classification society is a non-governmental organization that establishes and maintains technical standards for the construction and operation of ships and offshore structures.non-governmental organizationshipsoffshore structures Classification surveyors Classification surveyors inspect ships to make sure that the ship, its components and machinery are built and maintained according to the standards required.

Responsibilities Classification societies set technical rules It confirm that designs and calculations meet these rules It survey ships and structures during the process of construction and commissioning It periodically survey vessels to ensure that they continue to meet the rules

. Marine vessels and structures are classified according to the soundness of their structure and design for the purpose of the vessel. The classification rules are designed to ensure an acceptable degree of stability, safety, environmental impact, etc. In particular, classification societies may be authorised to inspect ships, oil rigs, submarines, and other marine structures and issue certificates on behalf of the state under whose flag the ships are registered. As well as providing classification and certification services,

. There are more than 50 marine classification organizations worldwide, some of which are Lloyd's Register-LR-1760-London Lloyd's RegisterLondon American Bureau of Shipping-ABS-1862-Houston American Bureau of ShippingHouston Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK)-NK-1899-Tokyo Nippon Kaiji KyokaiTokyo Russian Maritime Register of Shipping-RS-1913-Saint Petersburg Russian Maritime Register of ShippingSaint Petersburg Indian Register of Shipping-IRS-1975-Mumbai Indian Register of ShippingMumbai

. International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) The role of classification and Classification Societies has been recognized in the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, (SOLAS) and in the 1988 Protocol to the International Convention on Load Lines A vessel built in accordance with the applicable Rules of an IACS Member Society may be assigned a class designation by the Society on satisfactory completion of the relevant surveys.

. 'Classification Society' in 1834; Rules for construction and survey were published the same year. A second major Class Society conference, held in 1955, led to the creation of Working Parties on specific topics and, in 1968, to the formation of IACS by seven leading Societies. The value of their combined level of technical knowledge and experience was quickly recognised. In 1969, IACS was given consultative status with the International Maritime Organization (IMO). It remains the only non-governmental organization with Observer status which is able to develop and apply Rules.

. A classification survey is a visual examination that normally consists of: an overall examination of the items identified in the Rules for survey; detailed checks of selected parts, on a sampling basis; witnessing tests, measurements and trials where applicable. In addition to the Common Rules projects, IACS Resolutions on technical or procedural matters may be developed, generally through specialist Working Groups overseen by the General Policy Group (GPG).