Council of the International Association of Classification Societies reviews progress across its extensive work programme with emphasis on Decarbonisation, Digitalisation, Common Structural Rules and Quality performance.

IACS Council (C92) met in London last week to review the significant outputs from its Safe Decarbonisation and Safe Digital Transformation Panels, the progress made on the evolution of the Common Structural Rules, and to reaffirm the centrality of Quality to classification societies’ work. C92 also said a fond farewell to its outgoing Chair, Roberto Cazzulo who has now completed his term of office.

On Safe Decarbonisation, IACS Council welcomed the near finalisation of Unified Requirements (URs) for Ammonia Release Mitigation System and Approval of Lithium Batteries, alongside a recommendation for the use of Portable Tanks for Containment of Hydrogen Fuel Onboard Ships. In addition, C92 noted that URs for the Installation of Carbon Capture systems and on ESD systems and Valves on Bunkering Manifolds for methanol/ethanol Bunkering Vessels are in their final stages as is an IACS Recommendation on Guidelines for gas dispersion analysis.

IACS Council was equally satisfied with the extensive progress made by IACS’s Panel on Safe Digital Transformation noting that Recommendations on Ship Data Quality, Cybersecurity Controls for ships in service and Vessel Asset Inventory for Computer-Based Systems (CBS) have recently been completed.  These will soon be complemented by Recommendations on classification of complex systems utilising computer-based systems, a Protocol on format definition and exchange of 3D models, Risk Assessment for MASS and Communications and Remote Connectivity for MASS.

IACS Council also discussed the ongoing revision of its Common Structural Rules (CSR).  Recognising the significant progress achieved to date on the Consequence Assessment (CA) of Rule Change Proposals (RCP) for the CSR for Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers, the Council unanimously agreed that IACS should continue its work on the CSR RCP. In line with its commitment to transparency and broad stakeholder engagement, the Council also agreed to further enhance the industry consultation with all relevant parties as the work progresses through 2026.

IACS Council undertook a strategic assessment of the Association’s Quality objectives as part of its commitment to continuous improvement and in anticipation of a number of external developments, such as new Port State Control scoring methodologies, that may impact IACS membership rules (which all Members must comply with at all times).  IACS Council also endorsed the Work Programme for IQARB for 2026 and welcomed the progress that this newly independent and legally constituted body has made in its first year of operation.

C92 marked the completion of Chair Roberto Cazzulo’s two-year term of office.  Commenting on his period as Chair of IACS Council, Roberto Cazzulo, said “Overseeing IACS’ development and delivery of a wide range of resolutions that meet the key twin challenges of decarbonisation and digitalisation has been at the core of my tenure as Chair.  These significant technical contributions demonstrate IACS’ ability to support regulators and industry and address innovative and complex regulatory and technical challenges without any reduction in the scope and speed of its more traditional work programme.”

C92 also unanimously elected Mr. Cazzulo’s successor whose name will be announced early in the New Year.

IACS was also pleased to welcome representatives from a wide range of industry associations to provide updates on matters of joint interest and to assess and advance the extensive programme of Joint Industry Working Groups established by Tripartite.

The IACS Council meets twice a year, and this was the 92^nd Council meeting since the founding of IACS in 1968. This meeting took place in London and was attended by senior management from all 12 Members.