Protection of knowledge in the shipbuilding industry Leading expertise for a safer world A Classification Society perspective Vaughan Pomeroy, Technical Director, Lloyd’s Register

This presentation will describe How Lloyd’s Register uses and protects information: Own information Information provided by shipyards and equipment suppliers Information provided by ship owners and operators Information provided from other parties Shared information How that information is used for the benefit of industry and society

Characteristics of information Secret (company, military) Commercially-valuable Commercially-sensitive Public domain Intermediate research outcomes Obligation to publish research outcomes Value-added through combination and development – adding commercial value through application of intellectual capital

Value-added through combination and development Public domain information Published foreground intellectual property Development and/or combination Creation of added value –Development of rule formulation –Presentation of simplified conclusions –Publication of results

Intellectual property? copyright designs patents confidential information trade marks “intangible“ property Rights may be bought, sold, licensed - like any other property.

Intellectual property? copyright designs patents confidential information trade marks “intangible“ property Rights may be bought, sold, licensed - like any other property.

Rules and technical background Documented expertise and experience

Rules and technical background Documented expertise and experience Preference for generic requirements Publication

Rules and technical background Documented expertise and experience –Demand for disclosure of technical background –Demand for publication of survey feedback –Demand for “internal knowledge” Preference for generic requirements Publication

Rules and technical background Documented expertise and experience –Demand for disclosure of technical background –Demand for publication of survey feedback –Demand for “internal knowledge” Preference for generic requirements –Demand for identification/differentiation –Demand for exclusivity Publication

Rules and technical background Documented expertise and experience –Demand for disclosure of technical background –Demand for publication of survey feedback –Demand for “internal knowledge” Preference for generic requirements –Demand for identification/differentiation –Demand for exclusivity Publication –Free availability

Use of information in classification process design verification survey during manufacture and construction, providing traceability from basic material through to the completed vessel survey during installation and testing verification during sea trials survey in service to verify condition

Information from shipbuilders and equipment suppliers Essential for review to establish compliance Increasingly received and distributed electronically Retained through ship’s life –54 ships in class over 50 years old –3 Doxford engines still in classed ships –Acting as “design authority”

Information from shipbuilders and equipment suppliers Essential for review to establish compliance Increasingly received and distributed electronically Retained through ship’s life –54 ships in class over 50 years old –3 Doxford engines still in classed ships –Acting as “design authority” Culture of confidentiality

Ships in service Survey reports Need for access to design information for –Alterations and modifications –Damages and operational restrictions –Advice to salvage companies Commercial sensitivity –Link to chartering –Port State Inspection

Information from shipowners Capacities of ships - commercial advantages Operating restrictions/deficiencies Material state Maintenance records and strategies

Knowledge management Reliance on knowledge and experience of people Knowledge acquired by exposure to variety of ship types and designs Knowledge is captured in survey guidance, internal procedures, software tools, Rules Benefits delivered by classification rely on effective application of knowledge and experience

Obligations to release information Information contained in the reports of classification and statutory surveys will be made available to the relevant owner, National Administration, Port State Administration, P&I Club, hull underwriter and, if authorised in writing by that owner, to any other person or organisation. Information relating to the status of classification and statutory surveys and suspensions/withdrawals of class together with any associated conditions of class will be made available as required by applicable legislation or court order.

Obligations to release information Accident investigators Auditors Owners Repairers Permission sought, where the owner of the IP is available

Current issues of concern Transfer of Class – transfer of information EU RO Regulation – Article 10 – Mutual Recognition IMO Goal Based Standards – Ship Construction File Requirement for information –Outside contractual controls –Loss of control of who holds what –No knowledge of use

Final remarks Confidentiality is key to relationships with –Shipyards –Equipment suppliers and system integrators –Shipowners Recognition that information must be retained for future use for through life issues Understanding the knowledge is held by people, based on their individual experience

Protection of knowledge in the shipbuilding industry