Classification societies under fire over competition and responsibilities

Classification societies need a major overhaul to do their work properly, a spokesman for the International Association of Independent Tanker Owners (Intertanko) says.

Intertanko's public relations committee chairman Paul Slater said the International Association of Classification Societies, the umbrella body, should have one set of standards operating on a global basis.

'This will prevent shipowners switching from one society to another for a financial benefit or less vigorous inspections and approaches,' he said.

He said he also did not see why a classification society should be a profit centre, seeking business outside its own country and competing with other societies and thriving on it.

Classification societies should be keen to do the job not just because they were paid to do it, but also because it was their responsibility, he said.

He proposed that inspection information about vessels should be shared with others globally so unnecessary inspections could be avoided.