Class approach

The Korean Register of Shipping (KR) has extended its port state control pre-inspection service to ships scheduled to call at European ports.

Relatively poor performance of KR-registered ships in USCG statistics for 1999 and 2000 led KR to introduce several measures for improvement. Last October, KR made a strong step to upgrade the quality of ships on its books by banning bulk carriers and ESP tankers older than 20 years. KR also introduced a free-of-charge pre-inspection by a KR surveyor for KR-classed ships scheduled to call at a US port; the pre-inspection can be carried out anywhere in the world.

KR says that in 2001 just one KR-classed ship was detained in the US, and to date this year detentions there have been zero. The register has expressed regret that it did not begin earlier to address this situation. It expects to improve its ships? position on the USCG port state control boarding priority matrix as that inspection guide is upgraded.

ISM Phase 2

One area where KR is ahead of the game, though, is with the implementation of the ISM Code for Phase 2 ships. The second phase of the ISM Code came into force at the beginning of this month, but the Korean government adopted it for Korean-flagged ships a year ago.

As

a result, KR was able to complete ISM auditing and certification for the 172 Korean-flagged Phase 2 ships which it classes, and carry out audits for nearly 80% of the 195 ships of other flags which it classes in that category. The remaining 41 ships may have been certified by other accredited bodies.

As

ISM Phase 2

is now in force, KR has reminded shipowners that they must be certified, and that a concentrated inspection campaign is underway in many port state control regions.

KR has stressed its faith in the ISM system, noting that while some 80% of casualties are owing to human error, ISM Phase 1 has been extremely effective, with casualties reduced by nearly two-thirds since its introduction.

Recent innovations

Recent innovations

include KR-CON, a computerised database program for IMO conventions. This system, which the Korean Register claims is the most sophisticated IMO convention database available, is designed to resolve the complexity of IMO conventions and to facilitate the application of the IMO?s various requirements.

According to KR, KR-CON is a great improvement on programs which offer simple browsing functions. Instead, KR-CON includes a checklist-creating function allowing users to produce lists of requirements applicable to specific ships, based on criteria such as ship type, length, when the keel was laid, gross tonnage and details of surveys, certificates and regulations. Users ? currently numbering some 1,100 ? can determine minimum requirements applicable to specific ships, and so avoid overshooting them. KR-CON is accessible through the KR website and includes full IMO text.

KR has also introduced a structural software system for appraisal of designs, including analysis of particularly complex structures like LNG carriers, modern ultra-large container ships and floating production and storage offshore (FPSO) vessels. According to KR, this software is being used by all major Korean yards.

Safe ships, clean seas

Established in 1960, KR has grown along with the country?s shipyards. While it doesn?t perhaps have the high profile they do, KR is busy making its contribution to world shipping in terms of safe ships and clean seas.

KR became a member of the International

As

sociation of Classification Societies (IACS) in 1988, and, in 1990, was listed in the Institute Classification Clause (ICC) of London Underwriters. This high international standard of confidence is indicative of KR?s solid underpinnings and provides outstanding global recognition of KR as a well-established classification society.

KR has more than 20 million gross tonnage of shipping, comprising more than 2,000 ships in its registry, including 17 LNG tankers. KR is authorised to carry out statutory services on behalf of 40 governments ? including, as of February this year, the Seychelles and Hong Kong ? and operates 38 exclusive offices and 18 non-exclusive stations at major ports around the world.

KR?s research & development efforts are aimed at improving classification rules.

The registry?s services include ship survey and classification, statutory services based on international conventions, research and development, technical advisory services, ISO/ISM quality certification and training, and industrial services.