The International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) has published its 2025 Annual Review, highlighting its pivotal role in enhancing safety standards and fostering technical innovation within the maritime sector. The report emphasizes IACS’s commitment to supporting decarbonization efforts through its Safe Decarbonisation Panel, which focuses on alternative fuels without endorsing any specific option. This includes developing resolutions that align with IMO regulations and IACS members’ classification rules.
Additionally, IACS’s Safe Digital Transformation Panel is addressing key priorities such as data quality, cybersecurity, and predictive maintenance. It has established Unified Requirements for the cyber resilience of new ships and provided recommendations for existing vessels, ensuring a baseline for cybersecurity within safety management systems. The integration of digital technologies is also evident in the use of 3D models for evaluating hull design and structural integrity.
The report further details IACS’s collaborative efforts with various industry stakeholders, including intergovernmental bodies and port state authorities. In 2025, IACS submitted 37 independent papers to the IMO, alongside 20 co-sponsored contributions. It also made strides in enhancing surveyor safety through new recommendations that align with ISO 45001 principles, thereby promoting a culture of safety across classification activities.
