Chairman of IACS pinpoints three key themes of the Association's strategy for the future (FOTO)

London (ots) -

Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen's commitment to quality, modernisation and
transparency widely reflected in IACS work and future vision

Quality, modernisation and transparency have been the three
fundamental themes of the International Association of Classification
Societies (IACS) during DNV GL's Chairmanship, and this approach is
widely reflected in IACS' 2017 Annual Review which was presented in
London today by IACS Chairman Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen.

Looking back at IACS' development and successes over the past
year, Mr Ørbeck-Nilssen said that during these dynamic times, both
IACS and its twelve Member societies need to act as a guide for the
shipping industry, identifying the path for others to follow.

"When many in the maritime community feel like their businesses
are in dire straits, IACS and its Members, the top classification
societies, need to be a beacon of light setting the course ahead -
with modern requirements, transparent processes and the highest
quality of service," the Chairman said.

The three themes of IACS' strategy build on the work done by the
organisation and its Member classification societies last year, as
detailed in the 2017 Annual Review, and position the Association well
for the many challenges that lie ahead.

Highlights for IACS and its Members from 2017 include achieving
full compliance with the International Maritime Organization's Goal
Based Standards; ongoing industry involvement in cyber security and
autonomy; and the launch of new membership criteria.

Commenting on the publication of the 2017 Annual Review, Mr
Ørbeck-Nilssen said: "2017 was a year in which the maritime world's
key players had to get to grips with tectonic changes in markets,
regulations and technology. I am proud to say that both IACS and its
Member societies rose to that challenge with their work across the
year: Together we achieved significant progress in modernising the
concept of class and in adapting to the digital transformation of our
industry. In IACS, we strive to ensure that our own standards allow
for innovative practices that utilise the flexibility available
within ship regulations while maintaining high-quality and delivering
on our unceasing commitment to a safer and more secure maritime
world. IACS' 2017 Annual Review testifies to these endeavours, as
well as offering a roadmap for how the organisation and its members
will ensure they continue to provide, openly and transparently, the
highest quality classification services to the maritime industry."

"With the maritime industry facing complex and competing demands,
IACS continues to play a leading role by bringing familiar technical
assurance processes to bear against new and unfamiliar technologies,"
added Robert Ashdown, IACS' Secretary General. "Our 2017 Annual
Review showcases the work that IACS' Member societies have undertaken
in this respect, while also emphasising our continuous commitment to
quality operations and, by way of the Class data provided, to acting
in an ever more transparent way."

A free copy of the 2017 Annual Review can be downloaded at:
http://www.iacs.org.uk/about/iacs-annual-review-2017/

Contact:
Media contact IACS:
Robert Ashdown, IACS Secretary General
E: permsec@iacs.org.uk
T: +44(0)20-7976-0660

Media contact DNV GL:
Nikos Späth
Head of Media and Public Relations
DNV GL Maritime Communications
Tel.: +49 (0)40/36149-4856
E-Mail: nikos.spaeth@dnvgl.com

Original-Content von: DNV GL, übermittelt durch news aktuell