Classification of Ships
Classification History
- Marine insurers needed information on the suitability of a vessel for a voyage to be undertaken.
- Marine insurers in London met at Lloyd’s Coffee House after 1666.
- Edward Lloyd distributed Ships Lists, giving brief descriptions of vessels to be offered for insurance
- In 1760 a Lloyds committee was formed to survey and classify ships. Lloyd Register Book provided information about ownership, master, characteristics and condition.
- Condition of hull was classified by letters A,E, I, O, U. Machinery (when fitted) classified as 1, 2, 3. Hence the term A1 for first class.
- In 1834 Lloyds Register of British and Foreign Shipping becomes first independent classification society.
· New Missions for Class Societies
· Environment
· Work for Port State Regulatory Statutes
Classification Societies
• American Bureau of Shipping
• Det Norske Veritas
• Lloyds Register
• Bureau Veritas
• China Classification Society
• Germaischer Lloyd
• Registro Italiano Navale
• Korean Register
Functions of Class Societies
• Develop guidelines for design, construction and operational maintenance.
• Newbuilds: Design Review, construction survey.
• Vessel life surveys: Periodic inspection of vessel and machinery, attend vessel during repairs and modifications to ensure compliance with class rules.
Sample Classification Register
• http://exchange.dnv.com/BxWmWeb/Vessel InfoRegistry/SelectVessel.aspx?
