IACS prioritises digitalisation and emissions

Chaired virtually by Koichi Fujiwara, chair of ClassNK’s board of directors, C83 recognised the pressure on the sector to respond rapidly to the twin challenges of decarbonisation and digitalisation.

“IACS’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic and its rapid expansion of remote surveys was vital in ensuring business continuity in shipping while maintaining high safety standards,” said Koichi Fujiwara. “I hope that the agility displayed in this instance will be replicated elsewhere as the new governance changes start to take effect,” he added.

Digitalisation is key to helping cut carbon emissions. With that in mind, C83 agreed to establish an expert group on the safety of new technologies and zero or very low carbon fuels and also committed to ensuring that short-term measures on GHG reduction recently agreed at IMO are subject to global and consistent implementation.

It was also agreed to fast-track a universal recommendation expanding on IACS’s earlier paper on remote surveys together with expanding work on modernising SOLAS. C83 also welcomed the progress made in developing requirements for cyber resilience of onboard systems and equipment, and in discussions with industry regarding marine autonomous surface ships.

C83 also saw Nick Brown, chief executive of Lloyd’s Register who was elected in April take up his position for what will be a 2.5 year term. “There is lots for IACS to do and collaboration with all industry stakeholders will be key to our mutual success,” he said.