WHEN the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) issued a paper in September setting out its position on the human element, its implications were clearly going to be far reaching. Its publication followed an IACS presentation in June to the Human Element Industry Group, which is made up of a number of maritime NGOs and it says that IACS’ aims “to highlight and emphasise the importance of… human element aspects when developing new IACS requirements applicable to the ship and ship systems”.

Rina’s secretary-general Roberto Cazzulo currently chairs IACS’ Council, giving the Italian organisation a particular significance in any discussion about its implications and, in this podcast, Rina’s North Europe Region Senior Director for Rina’s marine activities Fiorenzo Spadoni, puts IACS’ approach into context, saying that it reflected significant industry changes driven by digitalisation, decarbonisation and increasingly complex ship systems.

He also drew a distinction between this initiative and classification’s long-standing involvement in management assessment, in particular since the advent of the ISM Code in the 1990s. “What we are seeing now is a deeper integration of the human element into the regulatory and operational framework,” he said.

“Classification societies are transitioning from traditional prescriptive requirements towards more functional ones,” he added, going on to describe the implications of taking a risk-based approach, with “human-centred design at the heart of this new philosophy”.

At a ship operational level, he said that IACS recognises that there will be a growing need for training and skill development for seafarers to enable them to work with new fuels and new technologies such as fuel cells, carbon capture and emission monitoring and control systems. Cyber security concerns and automation will also have a significant impact on crew capabilities.

Asked what part IACS will play in enabling these skills, he said that its primary role will remain regulatory, but that this focus on the human element will “influence how crew training is shaped and developed in the future.” He also had a message for the industry, saying that it “should market itself as a forward-looking [sector], emphasising tech-driven careers… to attract, attract younger generations”. And, as he explains during the podcast, he believes that IACS’ initiative will help to clarify the competencies that will be needed for future crews, especially as ships become increasingly autonomous.

He also discussed whether these developments can help move the industry closer to net-zero emissions. “One critical factor in achieving net zero is the role of the human workforce” and by providing seafarers with skills and motivation to manage these technologies, “we are accelerating their adoption and the path toward net zero”, he said.