Nowadays there are more than fifty classification societies in the world but still the classification process and its interrelationship with international and flag regulations is not always well understood
The classification society, which is a non-governmental organisation in the shipping industry establishes and maintains technical standards for construction and operation of marine vessels and offshore structures.
The primary role of the society is to classify ships and validate that their design and calculations are in accordance with the published standards. It also carries out periodical survey of ships to ensure that they continue to meet the parameters of set standards. The society is also responsible for classification of all offshore structures including platforms and submarines.
Flag states maintain a ship register in which all ships that sail under their flag need to be registered.
Classification societies are licensed by flag states to survey and classify ships and issue certificates on their behalf. They classify and certify marine vessels and structures on the basis of their structure, design and safety standards.
The primary task of classification society surveyors is to survey in order to maintain the standards of construction and condition of ships and machinery, which have been laid down by the society.
The secondary function of class surveyors, where their society is approved by governments, is for their surveys to be used as a basis for the issue of statutory certificates relating to safety at sea.
A classification society’s workforce comprises of Surveyors who are full time employees and are generally referred to as “Exclusive” surveyors; the ones employed on a part time basis are “Non-exclusive” surveyors. Although the classification societies started in 1760 with captains who will examine a ship, more specialization came and now there are in principle there three kind of surveyors whom are mainly marine professionals’ mariners, such as a qualified ship’s deck officers, mechanical/electrical engineers, naval architects.
In most cases you will find the navigational inspectors as the flag state inspectors and auditors.
The classification society uses the mechanical/electrical inspectors. They will start in the engine room and will learn the hull part in their inspection career. The hull surveyors are in a perfect world only naval architects. The auditors in the classification society can have navigational background but normally the surveyor with experience will become auditor. Although you will think that every class surveyor is entitled to inspect everything, this is however not the case.
It is the intention of this course to extend the student’s knowledge and understanding of the role, workings and requirements of a classification society and its interface with IMO when applying statutory regulations on behalf of flag administrations and qualify you as an expert in this field able to deal with port state control, flag administration and vetting officials.

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Objectives

The course content is aimed at providing newly appointed surveyors and those as yet limited practical experience with solid technical knowledge about classification and statutory matters. This course is specifically structured for those looking to taking up the role of a Non-exclusive surveyor enabling them to properly undertake the duty imposed under the relevant Classification rules.
Of course, the material also includes the latest technical information and thus allows participants to obtain “work-ready” knowledge.

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Minimum Entry Requirements

There are no prerequisites for this Course, however, in order to fully benefit from the training, it is recommended that the participants are either new entrants to the shipping industry or professional staff in shipping companies, ship brokers, port agencies, insurance inspectors, banks and similar service organisations can gain a valuable understanding of their customers roles and responsibilities.
The comprehensive documentation that accompanies the course has been designed as a useful guide for future reference.

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Who Should Attend

The Maritime field is extremely broad and brings about relationships with a variety of people with varying levels of experience from the many different aspects of shipping therefore this Course is suitable for a broad range of maritime related professionals and regularly attracts ships’ officers and shore-based management staff.
But the course is also valuable to Classification Societies, Marine Insurers, P&I Club Managers, Port Authorities and Coast Guard personnel amongst others.
The course is conducted online and provides a wonderful chance to build your international professional network without having to afford any travel expenses. Often more than 10 nationalities participate and are introduced to each other thanks to our education portal features.

• Producers, Traders or Commodities Brokers and Suppliers
• Ship agent, Shipbrokers
• Shipowners, Charterers, Shippers and Maritime Attorneys
• Purchasers and Technical Managers and Superintendents
• Captains, Chief Engineers and Ship Staff
• Insurance Company Underwriters, claims handlers, and members of the legal profession
• Service providers, Surveyors, Inspectors, Analysts, Technical advisers
• Practicing cargo agents, Freight forwarders, Shipping Industry starters, cargo consolidators
• Other professionals.

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Duration

Each module is expected to involve 6 hours of learning time each week, making a total of 52 hours per 2 months period and the associated tests might be completed in less than 2 hours.
The training sections don’t have to be completed in one session, you may return to it as often as you like, the system will bookmark your last page so you are returned directly to where you exited the program.

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Timeframe

This course will remain open for 9 months for completion or revision starting from the date of course uploading on the student portal.
One or more extensions of study totaling not more than 6 months may be requested by a student and authorised by the Course Director. The request should be made at least one day prior to the end of the period of study.
Further extensions are used where exceptional circumstances necessitate an extension of the normal period of study in order to complete the final test. An agreed extension may involve the payment of small additional fees.

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Teaching Methods

In line with the International Maritime Training general approach and the best international standards, the course is designed with the aim of providing excellent training with an emphasis on its concrete application in the job, professional and company principal related activities.
The training include a course framework (detailing the scope, objective, entry standards, and other information about the course), a course outline (timetable), a detailed teaching syllabus (including the learning objectives that should have been achieved when the course has been completed by students), guidance notes and summary of how the students will be evaluated.
The course involves mainly independent study with the assistance of the educational team; study time, in general, is to be spent on activities such as studying the lecture course material and textbooks and preparing your coursework in order to be ready to take the final test.
Your progress in the subjects taught will be tested and consolidated through exercises related to actual Flag State inspector cases.

Modes of attendance

This course can be attended only:
Online, via a cutting-edge web platform.