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Indian Register of Shipping (IRClass) has won a 5-year contract to provide Emergency Response Services (ERS) for a total of 33 vessels operated by The Shipping Corporation of India (SCI). The contract, which was effective from the end of February 2019, covers various types of ships, including oil tankers, bulk carriers and containerships.
The classification society’s ERS provides round-the-clock technical support through a speedy assessment of intact and damage stability, as well as longitudinal strength, of any vessel involved in a major incident. This might, for example, include grounding, collision or fire damage. Issues potentially arising from such incidents that could be dealt with by IRClass range from excessive trim/heel, loss of stability and progressive flooding, to structural impairment.
On receiving an alert on a dedicated communication channel, IRClass promises to assemble a team of professionals within two hours. It will then recreate the status and condition of the vessel, using a 3D hull model, and applying data received from the vessel.
Simulations are carried out for a range of scenarios, to ensure that appropriate advice is given to the client, to correct any excessive heel or trim, and possibly limit further damage to the vessel. The overall aim of the ERS, IRClass says, is to help the ship’s crew to take well-informed decisions.
IRClass technical services head, C R Venugopa, added: “The commitment we have made to SCI further strengthens the existing, excellent relationship we share with the shipping company. This contract highlights IRClass’ growing portfolio of value added, beyond class services.”
