SMM 2010

SMM is a leading international platform for new marine technology and innovation – bringing together key decision makers in world shipbuilding. Visit us on stand B4. EG/520

These are interesting times for our vital industry. SMM is a great opportunity to exchange information, introduce new ideas and technologies, and meet new people as well as old friends.

Shipowners are still trying to make sense of new and emerging regulations as well as meet demands to reduce the environmental impact of shipping. The industry realises that rapid evolution is now likely, but it appears unsure how to manage that change.

The key elements for effective, safe, change in shipping will be technology and people. Helping people to perform effectively - developing their competencies - is a growing area of importance for Lloyd’s Register and for the industry. Technological answers need be found and approved to help the industry evolve.

Our role as a classification society is to help owners, shipbuilders and regulators, to manage the introduction of new, safe technologies and to support their decision-making processes. New and less prescriptive approaches will be necessary. This year, we are celebrating 250 years of marine activity, but our focus remains on the challenges of today and tomorrow.  During SMM, we look forward to meeting you to discuss our work.

Tom Boardley, Marine Director

Recent Lloyd’s Register news and activities

Lloyd’s Register is active across a broad spectrum of activities to support safety and fleet quality, going beyond the provision of standard classification services. As we follow a path of continuous improvement, we offer new rules -- and new software to support those rules -- and new guidelines to help owners, operators and regulators move towards safer, sustainable and more comfortable ship operations.

Sustainable shipping – emissions and the environment
Our energy and emissions experts provide guidance to stakeholders who are dedicated to a cleaner future for shipping.

- New Clean Shipping Index verification service  We are now offering a verification service to shipowners and operators wishing to demonstrate their success in reducing the environmental impact of their activities beyond the requirements of classification or statutory rules and regulations. The service is cost effective and can be delivered with minimal interruption to ship operations. http://www.lr.org/sectors/marine/News/199667-new-clean-shipping-index-verification-service.aspx

- Industry Guidance Our Ballast Water Treatment Technology Guide is the industry standard for emerging technologies in this space. Our fuel oil advisory service, FOBAS, has provided significant support to the industry, addressing challenges such as low sulphur compliance, engine performance - as well as fuel quality. Our Volatile organic compounds (VOC) Management Plan and Checklist have helped industry to meet the new environmental requirements.

- Future technologies Our Strategic Research Group have a significant number of projects underway into the new technologies that have the potential to change the face of our industry.  For details of our marine bio-fuel project with Maersk, go to:
http://www.lr.org/sectors/marine/News/181530-marine-biofuel-project-with-maersk.aspx

-  Industry information  Our recent publication, Shipping and the environment, explains the issues facing shipping and how Lloyd’s Register is helping. Our Strategic Research Group is examining future fuels and new ship designs, while our global technology leaders have been leading the research in to the viability nuclear propulsion.
http://www.lr.org/sectors/marine/focus/Sustainability.aspx

FOBAS continues to support fuel safety and performance
Lloyd’s Register’s marine fuel and engine performance consultancy, FOBAS, has launched a new service, FOBAS Engine. FOBAS Engine is a performance-monitoring service, delivering extended fuel and lubricant telemetry regarding engine performance to ships’ crews and operators. http://www.lr.org/sectors/marine/News/176126-fobas-broadens-service-with-fobas-engine.aspx

We will be holding a series of informal fuel and engine performance technical workshops at SMM on September 8, 2010, at 10:30; 11:45; 13:00 and 14:15 on the Lloyd’s Register stand. Contact FOBAS@lr.org to reserve your place.

New rules and software support safer, more flexible, container securing and stowage
Lloyd’s Register has developed and released new container-securing rules and software to provide a robust framework for safer, more effective modern ship designs.
http://www.lr.org/sectors/marine/News/200412-new-rules-and-software-support-safer-more-flexible-container-securing-and-stowage.aspx

Gas developments
LR remains the leading classification society in the LNG and gas containment segments.
One niche market attracting interest is the carriage of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). LR provides technical insights into this market with its approval-in-principle approach for a sector in which industry developments often outpace the development of rules. We look at each project on its merits, offering a goal-based approach to approve new concepts. 

High levels of enquiry and confirmation of orders 
Despite the gloomy outlook, Lloyd’s Register has won substantial newbuilding contracts in the first half of 2010.

MLC 2006
We have also been very active in helping prepare the industry for the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006). For the latest guidance in supporting the practical application of the convention go to:
http://www.lr.org/sectors/marine/News/199844-maritime-labour-convention-mlc-2006-latest-update.aspx

Extended Dry Dockings (EDD) – 7.5 years of flexibility
Lloyd’s Register has pioneered the extension of dry-docking cycles for containerships. Our industry pilot has been ongoing for nearly five years. Under the scheme, some dry dockings are replaced by in-water surveys, carried out by approved diving companies.

The benefits to operators of EDD are increased flexibility when choosing a dry-docking window and, with proper maintenance programmes in place, the potential for the hull to stay in water for up to 7.5 years. To date, the combination of our procedures, the involvement of a first-class operator and experienced flag states, is providing appropriate oversight with respect to safety and can provide much needed flexibility. Only containerships qualify for consideration; bulk carriers and tankers are specifically excluded by IMO resolution and under SOLAS requirements.
http://www.lr.org/sectors/marine/documents/198278-extended-dry-dockings.aspx

LR the first foreign class society authorised by the Japanese Government
In May, Lloyd’s Register became the first foreign classification society to be formally authorised by the Japanese government to carry out surveys on ships flying the Japanese flag.
http://www.lr.org/news_and_events/news/197906-first-foreign-class-society-authorised-by-japan.aspx

Training
Training is of ever greater importance for the shipping industry. Lloyd’s Register is seeing increasing demand for all types of courses. Increasingly, we are seen not just as a trusted provider of technical training courses, but also as a training innovator that delivers high-level management training around the world in many languages.
http://www.lr.org/sectors/marine/Services/training/