Classification societies and other providers of marine services have long endeavored to increase remote services in an effort to boost efficiency and cut costs.

More recently, these efforts have increased as the maritime industry shifts to new technology to manage operations given the limitations and safety issues that the global health crisis has brought with it.

"As we continue the digitalization of classification, our well-developed remote and digital delivery platform is providing the options as well as instant access to our expertise that our clients need. Both they and a broad range of stakeholders involved are seeing the benefits of remote surveys. We were using them before the current pandemic and they will be here for good now," David Barrow, Vice President South Asia for Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore commenting, said.

BV staff also use a variety of tools to assist customers in classification, including 3D digital twin technology; aerial drones, crawlers and other robotics; webcams, smart glasses and virtual reality; and artificial intelligence (AI) and computer sciences.

These technologies allow BV to provide a smart approach to classification for shipowners, shipyards and other maritime stakeholders.

"From design to construction, and throughout operations, Digital Classification supports BV’s mission to help clients not only be safe and sustainable but make better, data-driven decisions to improve asset operations and maintenance," the company stated.

Parallel to this, BV has developed guidelines and ratings that provide a proactive roadmap to cyber protection for new and existing ships.

Maritime Business World