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In
a significant breakthrough that
reflects the growing acceptance of
its services regionally, Ships
Classification (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.
(SCM) has entered into an agreement
with Biro Klassifikasi of Indonesia
to pave the way for the Malaysian
classification society to extend
high-level technical services for
vessel classification and related
statutory services in Indonesia.
According
to SCM advisor, Ghazali bin Abu
Hassan the agreement signed between
the two classification societies in
the two countries on October 18,
2001 has widened the scope of
activities for the two societies.
A
classification society is a
technical service organisation,
which as an independent third-party
to provide shipowners, shipbuilders
and insurers with technical services
according to regulations established
by international conventions as well
as its own classification rules.
A
classification society offers
“cradle-to-grave” coverage of a
vessel, i.e from design,
construction and maintenance to the
end of its operating life, and
provides to interested parties ship
information held in the registry’s
database.
The
agreement between SCM and BKI allows
for technical cooperation between
both parties in issuing vessels
classification and statutory
certificates to approving of vessels
construction, conversion and
modification drawing, system and
documents against class rules and
regulations, IMO Conventions and
national maritime administration
requirements.
Ghazali
said that SCM was willing to learn
from BKI which has a track record of
more than 37-years in the
classification business and is well
recognised by several classification
societies, including the Korean
Register of Shipping, Vietnam Ship
Classification Society and even
International Association of
Classification Society (IACS)
members.
“The
joint agreement with BKI will
further strengthen and expand our
presence in the regional market.
Currently SCM is being recognized by
various authorities including the
Ministry of Transport Malaysia,
Malaysia Marine Department,
insurance companies and the Maritime
Authority of Thailand,” said
Ghazali was quoted in the latest
issue of Ship Monitor, the official
publication of the Malaysian
Shipowners’ Association.
The
co-operation agreement between SCM
and BKI also involves the exchange
of technical information pertaining
to the classification of ships,
conducting surveys for vessels
including maintenance repair, ship
conversion and new building and also
employee between two counter part
said Ghazali.
He
urged the Malaysian shipowners’ to
take the advantage of using
Malaysian based classification
society for the classification and
survey work.
SCM,
as the only Malaysian based
classification society has classed
more than 300 ships of various size
plying in the home water since
inception seven years ago.
Its
clients include Chong Fui Shipping
Sdn Bhd, Ban Hoe Leong Sdn Bhd,
Gamuda Bhd, Perkapalan Mesra Sdn Bhd,
Malsuria Sdn Bhd, Pilecon Bhd,
Langkawi Ferry Services Sdn Bhd,
Madai Shipping Sdn Bhd, Sin Matu Sdn
Bhd and Sin Soon Hock.
Currently
SCM mainly concentrates on the ships
below 5,000 grt. With the agreement
with BKI of Indonesia SCM is ready
to explore the option for bigger
size carrier in the regional trade.
SCM
that is backed by a group of 18
highly qualified and motivated
professionals ranging from
surveyors, naval architects, marine
engineers, master mariners to marine
technologists plan to expand its
operation to Penang and Johor by
early next year.
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