The New Role of the Classification Societies in the Light of Design, Construction and Operation of Marine Structures

This paper is intended to review the present role of the classification societies, the development of the modern shipping and shipbuilding technology and, based on such review, to discuss a possible new role of the classification societies from a view-point of design, construction and operation of ships and other marine structures. The paper concludes that the new role of the classification societies must be an assessment and assurance of a total safety of the marine structures through their life and of a complete protection of environment from pollution by operation of marine structures in close cooperation with other members of maritime community.