Transfer of Class. Changing Existing Vessels to ABS Class

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1 Transfer of Class Changing Existing Vessels to ABS Class

2 Our Mission The mission of ABS is to serve the public interest as well as the needs of our clients by promoting the security of life, property and the natural environment primarily through the development and verification of standards for the design, construction and operational maintenance of marine-related facilities. Quality & Environmental Policy It is the policy of ABS to be responsive to the individual and collective needs of our clients as well as those of the public at large, to provide quality services in support of our mission, and to provide our services consistent with international standards developed to avoid, reduce or control pollution to the environment. All of our client commitments, supporting actions, and services delivered must be recognized as expressions of Quality. We pledge to monitor our performance as an on-going activity and to strive for continuous improvement. We commit to operate consistent with applicable environmental legislation and regulations and to provide a framework for establishing and reviewing environmental objectives and targets.

3 ABS Transfer of Class Transferring existing vessels to ABS class can be a quick, simple and inexpensive process. Owners are able to reap significant operational and cost benefits by placing more of their fleet with ABS. With the combined power of the maintenance management software provided by the ABS Nautical Systems Division and the industry-leading technology embodied in the ABS Eagle Survey Manager program, ABS offers owners analytical tools for optimizing fleet efficiencies. Prompt, Responsive & Professional Service Although the basic requirements are laid out by the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) Transfer of Class Agreement, ABS has established procedures to help ease an owner through the process with minimum disruption to commercial and vessel operations. The owner can initiate the transfer of class process by contacting any ABS office. The process will then be handled by a dedicated project team that will review the ship s current status and history and then coordinate the necessary arrangements to meet the requirements. The ABS project team manager works closely with the owner during this process and serves as the single point-of-contact to work with the class society from which the vessel is being transferred. ABS representatives will also assist with the collection of the drawings required for class approval. ABS will alert the owner to any potential issues in advance of scheduling the vessel s transfer surveys. The ABS Advantage Free installation of maintenance and hull management software One-year enrollment into the Rapid Response Damage Assessment program Discounts available based on fleet volume Support from an established global network of surveyors and engineering centers One of the largest and mostrespected class societies TRANSFER OF CLASS 1

4 Optimizing Fleet Efficiencies Significant operational efficiencies can be gained by forging a mutually-beneficial alliance between an owner and a single class society. By consolidating a fleet under ABS class, owners are able to tap into the most powerful suite of life cycle management tools available to the industry today. When a vessel is transferred into ABS class, it automatically receives several value-added benefits, at no charge. These include: Access to the My Eagle web portal Personalized account access to the ABS Eagle Survey Manager tool NS5 Enterprise Maintenance & Repair software NS5 Enterprise Hull Inspection software One-year enrollment in the ABS Rapid Response Damage Assessment program ABS believes this package of programs forms a valuable tool that will help shipowners monitor the condition of their vessels. For a single ship or an entire fleet, no one delivers a more comprehensive or responsive suite of classification services than ABS. Customer Web Portal A gateway to ABS services, the My Eagle web portal provides access to news, regulatory information, services and software designed to assist ship operators in managing their classification services. Through the portal, users can tap into a host of software programs including Rule Manager, a searchable online database of ABS Rules and IMO requirements, and the HSQE and IMO Navigator tools designed for owners to quickly identify best practices for upgrading their quality management systems or to identify regulatory requirements based on specific project details. Also available through the portal is the ABS Eagle Engineering Manager which is currently used by thousands of ABS customers to manage the administration of their drawings throughout plan review. Used for either new construction or modification projects, this secure program tracks the progress of multiple drawings during the approval process, consolidating comments, generating reports and providing optional alerts. 2 TRANSFER OF CLASS

5 Survey Manager Through ABS Eagle Survey Manager, owners can track the technical status and history of each vessel within a fleet, request surveys online and conduct sophisticated trend analyses between sister ships or across the entire fleet. Shipowners are able to select the interval to receive messages regarding upcoming and overdue surveys. Multicolored timelines of survey due dates significantly diminish the need to view individual listings of survey items such as hull, machinery and equipment. The user-friendly survey planning document displays precise gauging, tank testing and close-up inspection requirements for each vessel. Owners are able to review and download survey reports from the complete survey status to the electronic storage of plans, gauging data and digitized damage condition photographs. Survey Manager turns data into information and information into a powerful new tool for owners to increase the operating efficiencies of their fleet. Access to the ABS Eagle Survey Manager is free of charge for operators of any ABS-classed vessel through the My Eagle web portal. Maintenance & Repair The Maintenance & Repair module of the NS5 Enterprise fleet management system provides ship operators with the best planned maintenance system optimized for the marine industry. The software program provides a user-friendly interface to record, schedule and manage maintenance data for work performed on the vessel, whether done by the crew or an outside contractor. The system includes a complete, planned machinery and vessel compartment maintenance history. Synchronization with the ABS Eagle Survey Manager program allows operators to easily monitor survey and certificate progress. Furthermore, superintendents have the capability to pre-plan ABS surveys based on the ship and survey-specific checklists used by the class society s surveyors. This tool allows users to order survey requests, download pre-survey work packs and create work orders or service purchase orders. Overall, the program streamlines the class process and offers ship operators the opportunity to minimize survey findings and unscheduled maintenance. TRANSFER OF CLASS 3

6 Hull Integrity Management The NS5 Enterprise Hull Inspection program supports a comprehensive, proactive, preventative maintenance scheme for the hull structures of vessels. The software provides shipowners with focused inspection and condition reporting on structurally critical areas through a traffic-light condition scoring system. Using the program, ship operators can easily develop drydock repair specifications, detect and track anomalies to closure and more efficiently use inspection results to demonstrate due diligence to other stakeholders (e.g. charterers, port or flag States). With an intuitive and user-friendly interface, plus the ability to customize various aspects of the software via an administrative function, the software can be applied by any type of fleet operator. The application encourages condition monitoring of the fleet and provides the ability to identify systemic trends across the fleet. It provides fleet managers with an easy way to apply lessons learned towards continuous improvement of their hull integrity programs. Ultimately, shipowners can expect to have better control over the ongoing maintenance and repair of their vessels and the attendant costs. 4 TRANSFER OF CLASS

7 Rapid Response Damage Assessment Operators of tankers, bulk carriers, gas carriers, containerships and tank barges transferring into ABS class will be offered free enrollment into the Rapid Response Damage Assessment (RRDA) program with no service fee charged for the first year. The normal charge for developing the electronic model of each vessel that is used for calculating damage stability will also be waived. The RRDA program creates a computerized model of each vessel to provide strength and stability analysis of the damaged vessel. Feedback received from RRDA participants spurred ABS to expand the range of services to include detailed hull girder ultimate strength, local buckling and local strength analyses of the vessel in the damaged condition. In addition, those vessels that elect to enter the program will be offered the new ABS optional class notation RRDA, which will provide evidence to port State authorities and other interested parties that the vessel meets the requirement for access to a shore-based, damage stability program. TRANSFER OF CLASS 5

8 Maintaining Statutory Requirements ABS is recognized by the majority of international flag States and has been delegated authority to act as a Recognized Organization on behalf of more than 120 governments issuing a range of internationally-required certificates for SOLAS, MARPOL and the Load Line Convention on the flag Administration s behalf. When a vessel changes class to ABS from another IACS member, certain statutory certificates may remain valid. This varies depending on the flag Administration and circumstances. The ABS project team will work closely with the owner to make sure that the statutory certificates are in order. Some surveys may be required depending on certificates that have expired. When changing class, a change in flag may also be requested and new statutory certificates may be required. The new flag Administration will determine which certificates are needed. The ABS project team will coordinate with the new flag Administration to facilitate the process for the owner. When the exact requirements of the new flag have been determined, ABS will conduct the necessary reviews and surveys. 6 TRANSFER OF CLASS

9 Gathering Vessel Information For acceptance into ABS class, the owner of an existing IACS-classed ship will be asked to submit the following hull and machinery plans for reference: Main Plans General arrangement Capacity plan Hydrostatic curves Loading manual (if applicable) Stability documents Hull Structure Plans Midship section Decks Transverse bulkheads Hatch covers Machinery Plans Machinery arrangement Propeller Bilge and ballast piping diagram systems Steering gear systems, piping and arrangements Main boilers, superheaters and economizers (for steam turbine vessels) Construction profile and deck plan (scantling plan) Shell expansion Rudder and rudder stock Intermediate, thrust and screw shafts Wiring diagram ACCU Instrument and alarm list Fire alarm system List of automatic safety functions Additional plans may be requested for tankers, vessels with unmanned machinery spaces, ice class vessels and steam turbine vessels. Small vessels may be subject to different requirements. A preassessment condition survey may also be necessary to determine the overall condition of the ship. Typically, the requisite surveys to facilitate a transfer of class are scheduled with current survey activities to minimize cost. TRANSFER OF CLASS 7

10 Transfer of Class FAQs I recently bought a vessel classed with another organization. Is it difficult to change to ABS class? Not at all. ABS receives frequent requests to transfer existing vessels that are classed with other societies. ABS has well-established, simple procedures to effect a change of class with a minimum of disruption to operations, at a minimal cost. My vessel is classed with another IACS member. Will ABS accept the current survey status? Yes. There are very clear rules which have been agreed to by all IACS members which govern the transfer of vessels between members. The process is coordinated between the two societies so that the necessary standards are maintained. ABS will recognize surveys carried out by the other IACS society subject to a confirmatory survey. My vessel has never been classed. Will ABS accept it? ABS will consider the vessel for class after a satisfactory condition survey is conducted. Since the vessel may not have been built to an ABS-recognized standard, the requirements which must be met are more extensive than for a vessel changing class and include a review and drawing approval against ABS Rule requirements. ABS does not typically class yachts that are less than 75 ft. Is there an age limit for being accepted into ABS class? The review of vessels over 15 years of age is more stringent than for younger vessels. For older vessels, an ABS exclusive surveyor will conduct a pre-assessment condition survey prior to starting the transfer of class process. There is no charge to the owner or operator for this survey. Manned submersibles and vessels that are over 20 years of age and more than 80,000 dwt, including tankers, bulk carriers and passenger vessels, require special approval from the ABS Chief Surveyor. However, ABS does not typically class fishing vessels that are over 10 years of age. How long does the transfer of class take? In most instances the change of class process can be completed quickly. The IACS Transfer of Class Agreement sets specific time limits on certain elements within the process to promote minimal operational disruption. 8 TRANSFER OF CLASS

11 Can I continue to trade the vessel while it is being considered for ABS class? Yes. As soon as the required surveys and drawings have been satisfactorily completed, ABS will issue an Interim Class Certificate to replace the existing classification arrangement. Until ABS has issued this Interim Certificate, the owner may operate the vessel under the existing classification certificate. Also, during this period a formal application for class will be forwarded to the ABS Classification Committee for consideration. How will I know that the vessel has been accepted by ABS? A full term class certificate is sent to the owner when the vessel has been accepted by the ABS Classification Committee. What will it cost to change my vessel to ABS class? ABS is mindful of the commercial pressures under which shipowners operate. The ABS procedures for changing class on existing vessels have been streamlined to provide owners with the most costeffective and responsive service possible. ABS charges only for credited classification surveys. Who should I contact at ABS to arrange my transfer of class? The process can be started by contacting the local ABS port or district office. There are nearly 200 ABS offices located in 70 countries around the world. ABS staff members will obtain the relevant particulars to begin the process to make the change as seamless and efficient as possible. While a ship is most often classed with one society during construction and throughout its life cycle, many owners change class either on delivery, on transfer of ownership or for other reasons. It is a straightforward matter to transfer a vessel in class with another IACS member to ABS class while the ship is in service. ABS has streamlined procedures in place to carry out the transfer smoothly and efficiently. TRANSFER OF CLASS 9

12 ABS WORLD HEADQUARTERS ABS Plaza Northchase Drive Houston, TX USA Tel: Fax: ABS AMERICAS DIVISION ABS Plaza Northchase Drive Houston, TX USA Tel: Fax: ABS EUROPE DIVISION ABS House No. 1 Frying Pan Alley London E1 7HR, UK Tel: Fax: ABS-Eur@eagle.org ABS GREATER CHINA DIVISION 5th Floor, Silver Tower No. 85 Taoyuan Road Luwan District Shanghai, P. R. China Tel: Fax: ABSGreaterChina@eagle.org ABS PACIFIC DIVISION 438 Alexandra Road #10-00 Alexandra Point Singapore Republic of Singapore Tel: Fax: ABS-Pac@eagle.org ABS NAUTICAL SYSTEMS DIVISION ABS Plaza Northchase Drive Houston, TX USA Tel: Fax: ns-info@abs-ns.com Website: TX 04/