THE Indian Register of Shipping says it is taking “a pragmatic and practical approach” in rendering services to clients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
IRClass’ stated aim is to manage and adapt to the changing circumstances to minimise the impact on its customers by adapting remote surveys in maintaining the validity of ship’s certificates and thereby supporting the global trade, while ensuring the well-being and safety of staff.
Its office-based staff are now working remotely from their homes and the company has also provided specific guidelines to its surveyors to follow precautions and country specific advisories when planning the conduct of surveys.
“These are challenging times for everyone, as the COVID-19 scenario is constantly changing,” said IRClass managing director Suresh Sinha.
“IRClass is actively monitoring the global situation and is committed to working with all its clients to support their business needs,” he said.
“Our remote survey system is working very well indeed and is a practical and innovative way for our surveyor to carry out the emergency safety assessment of a ship around the various restrictions in place.”
Mr Sinha said their surveyors could now deal with surveys, audits and inspections from the safety of their own homes.
“I can see remote inspections continuing to revolutionise classification services long after the COVID-19 outbreak using digital technology and real time, risk based, data driven decision making process – in not too distant a future,” he said.
