seatec - Finnish marine technology review 1/2015 | Page 26

photos: ARI MONONEN NO CLASSIFICATION – NO INSURANCE! The ship’s hull is a major part of a vessel. Therefore, it needs careful inspection. Classification societies check the hull’s weldings, assemblies, and tubings. In general, the hull accounts for around 50 percent of the work of ship classification inspectors. ”In the case of ships under construction, we generally inspect and classify the engines separately, at the factory premises of the engine manufacturer,” recounts Mr. Niklas Rönnberg, Marine Client Manager ”In particular, matters pertaining to the safety of the ships have to meet the specifications,” Mr. Olli Kaljala emphasises. at Lloyd’s Register. He mentions that Lloyd’s Register has surveyors in 150 countries. taken into account, so that the inspec- has to be reviewed as such by the classifi- tion takes more time than previously,” he cation inspectors.” explains. ”Ship classification is a necessary process for ships utilised in international traffic. Insurance companies maintain that LONG-TERM INSPECTIONS RULES AND REGULATIONS ship classification is a prerequisite for ship- According to Mr. Kaljala, the first con- ping companies who wish to get an insur- Classification inspections for ships are car- structions to be inspected at the shipyard ance for the ship’s cargo.” ried out in accordance with international are the ship’s main arc and the steel struc- For smaller vessels used as coastal maritime regulations and the rules of the tures. As the work proceeds, the classifi- ships, an entry into class is perhaps not classification society. cation inspectors focus their interest on necessary. ”In particular, the matters pertaining the engines and safety systems on board. to the safety of the ships