The International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) has elected a new chairman, Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore executive vp Philippe Donche-Gay.

The series of meetings chaired by outgoing IACS chairman, and RINA services chairman, Roberto Cazzulo, was also attended by IMO secretary general Koji Sekimizu, who thanked the group for its ongoing technical advisory to IMO.

IACS underlined its commitment to revise its requirements for the structural safety of post-panamax boxships, in light of the splitting in half,catching on fire and sinking of the MOL Comfort last year, and the evidence of buckling found on its sisterships. The group also reiterated its intention to meet the July 2015 deadline for entry into force of its Common Structural Rules (CSR) for oil tankers and bulk carriers.

Philippe Donche-Gay’s new position will take effect as of tomorrow. “The great scope of IACS’s work goes on out of sight, focussing on the technical detail which helps keep shipping and shipbuilding safe and efficient,” said Donche-Gay. “All 12 members are contributing resources in the form of 350 engineers who work on IACS work groups. The detailed plans show the very wide scope of the work of IACS and just how vital it is to shipping.”